Abstract:
A safety device for manual labor activities in the form of a protective footwear and lower leg covering protects the shoes and lower trousers or legs of a wearer while painting or using a mower, string trimmer, chain saw, or other equipment which may discharge objects at high speed, as well as for usage in extreme conditions, such as that experienced by workmen such as welders and grinders, who may be exposed to showers of sparks and/or droplets of molten metal. The covering device also serves to protect the user&#39;s shoes and clothing from premature replacement, in addition to functioning as a safety device for the skin of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to improved protective apparel for the lower legs and feet, and more specifically, to an improved protective cover that can be worn over shoes or boots, and which protects the wearer&#39;s footwear and lower legs in a convenient, easy to use manner without the hassle of time consuming fasteners. The covering set is universal, for use on either the left or right leg, may be used on any type of footwear, and is easily attached to the user and his shoe as a matter of course.  
         [0003]     2. Introduction and Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     There are many occasions when a person&#39;s lower legs and footwear are exposed to conditions which may cause injury to the person and/or damage to expensive footwear and clothing. Many people will be familiar with the dangers presented to users of lawn mowers, chain saws, weed wackers and the like to the boots or shoes of the user. However, there is also an overlooked, but more costly and more dangerous phenomenon in physical labor that occurs when people weld or grind. In the fields of welding and metal working, the constant exposure to flying sparks and droplets of molten metal wear out workmen&#39;s clothes prematurely by burning through and/or gradually wearing down the fabric or material of the footwear and pants, and more importanly, often cause injury to a workman&#39;s leg or foot when such sparks or molten metal fly into the top openings of the footwear or burn through to the skin.  
         [0005]     Many leg protectors have been proposed relating to purported protection for painters and users of lawn mowers, chain saws, weed wackers, etc., but none relate to a comprehensive worker protection device that includes a solution for the more difficult problem of providing for the protection of welders and grindsmen from dangerous sparks or molten metal. In fields such as the welding trade, or in the case of say, iron workers, this is a particularly grave concern because some workers can receive serious burn injuries by such activities, and at the very least, are frustrated by the premature wear to the exposed uppers of their footwear and lower pant legs caused from the incessant sparks and/or molten metal droplets. The disproportionate, accelerated wear to the front and top sides of boots and lower front of jeans means that these articles of clothing must be discarded long before the rest of the jeans or boots wear, causing unusual levels of expense for workmen in these and other fields.  
         [0006]     Unfortunately, none of the previous attempts at providing some kinds of “leg protectors” afford protection against all types of damage that can occur to the lower portions of laborer clothing, much less the premature wearing of the footwear and pants that occurs in extreme conditions lie those experienced in the welding and grinding trades. Furthermore, none of the previous approaches offer a convenient, easily affixed appendage that will not discourage daily users, such as workmen, from wanting to utilize the covering on a daily basis. Prior art attempts in the field of protective leg or foot coverings are realistically prevented from widespread use or adoption by users because they are so difficult, time consuming, or just plain inconvenient to affix or otherwise use. Studies have shown that the more involved a protective device is, the less likely a user is to utilize it, as he would not want to be bothered with it every time, thereby defeating the very purpose of the protective nature of the safety device. This is true with prior art attempts at providing leg and foot safety covering. Moreover, the failures of the prior attempts at providing safety coverings would particularly ring true in the field of tradesmen such as welders and grindsmen, who, unlike casual users of say, a weed wacker, would need to “bother” with affixing the protective appendage day in, day out in throughout the workweek.  
         [0007]     As such, there is a need for a form of protection that is universal, in that it further protects laborers from other injurious factors, such as those involving cascades of sparks, splattering molten metal, and the like, in addition to mere flying debris associated with many manual work activities. Accordingly, there is a clear need to provide the above in such a way that it is convenient enough to be a realistic, convenient accoutrement to a workman&#39;s daily gear, and is an inexpensive enough protective device that it would be capable of mass marketing and distribution, as well as mass end use in targeted manual labor industries.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is directed to a flexible lower leg and boot cover having a heat resistant covering configured to cover footwear, and optionally, the lower portion of trousered legs, so as to provide protection for the laborer&#39;s legs and feet, as well as pants, and footwear while welding, grinding, or even when engaged in other manual labor type activities such as those involving the use of a string trimmer, mower, chainsaw, or other implement which may discharge material back toward the operator. The present protective footwear and lower leg covering is universal, in that each unit is laterally symmetrical to provide for wear on either the left or right foot, without regard for specific left or right foot use. The protective covering may be donned without need for the wearer to stand, or without the need to bother with time consuming, inconvenient methods of attaching the covering to the user that might involve passing a securing strap beneath the sole of the shoe, or slipping the toe of the shoe into a toe pocket at the front of the footwear cover, etc. The covering substantially covers at least the upwards and frontwards facing portion of the wearer&#39;s foot wear, and potentially the frontward facing part of the lower leg of the wearer, thus ensuring complete protection from thrown objects (sticks, stones, chips, etc. from lawn mowing or weed trimming), paint while painting, or sparks and/or molten metal droplets while welding and grinding.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a footwear and lower leg covering which reduces the risk of damage to the wearer&#39;s clothing and footwear from activities such as welding, grinding, mowing, using a string trimmer or chainsaw, and/or painting.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to provide a footwear and lower leg covering device which provides protection for the wearer&#39;s lower leg, ankles, and feet from exposure to thrown objects or heated materials from welding, grinding, and other manual labor activities.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the invention to provide a lower leg and footwear covering which can be donned over the wearer&#39;s clothing, without need for removal of any clothing or footwear, and is convenient enough so that wearers will not be inclined to forgo the wearing of the safety device.  
         [0012]     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a lower leg and footwear covering that is not just a way to protect laboring workers from harm, but is also simple and inexpensive enough that it will be economically attractive on the retail level to workmen to adopt the wearing of the safety device also as a means of prolonging the replacement of work pants and footwear such as boots.  
         [0013]     A further object of the invention is to provide a safety device in the form of a lower leg and footwear covering that is secured about the wearer&#39;s shoe without the need for complex means of securing the device to the user which might inhibit regular usage.  
         [0014]     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a frontal birds-eye perspective view of the protective covering device of the present invention fastened on footwear such as a boot.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the protective covering device according to one embodiment of the present invention, fastened on footwear such as a boot by means of an ankle strap fastener.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the protective covering device according to another embodiment of the present invention, fastened on footwear such as a boot by means of a footwear tongue fastener.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a front side, flat view of one embodiment of the present invention, provided with an ankle strap fastener for helping to secure the protective covering device to footwear.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a back side, flat view of one embodiment of the present invention, provided with an ankle strap fastener for helping to secure the protective covering device to footwear.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a front side, flat view of one embodiment of the present invention, provided with a footwear tongue fastener for helping to secure the protective covering device to footwear.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a back side, flat view of one embodiment of the present invention, provided with an footwear tongue fastener for helping to secure the protective covering device to footwear. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2A  and  2 B, the present invention is a protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  for the lower leg and footwear. The protective covering device  1  includes a flexible, heat resistant, footwear cover  2  that at least covers most, or substantially all, of the top facing and frontward facing portions  11  of a users footwear  10 , and in alternative embodiments, may optionally cover the front facing lower portion of a user&#39;s leg or pants (not pictured), by extending laterally up. The footwear cover  2  of protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  is cut from a flexible material that has been shaped to substantially follow the contours of the top facing and frontward facing portions  11  of the upper of a users footwear  10  and in a preferred embodiment, is “one size fits all”, in that it is sized to fit over most footwear items, including boots of all shoe sizes, although a range of sizes may be provided, depending upon the precision of fit desired. It should be noted that the fit will usually not be as precise as that normally found in shoes, boots, and other footwear, as the present protective footwear cover  2  is substantially laterally symmetrical about the centerline C, as indicated in  FIG. 1 . This allows the footwear cover portion  2  to have a universal fit upon either a left or a right shoe, boot, or other footwear for user convenience.  
         [0023]     The footwear cover  2  is preferably made from a heat resistant material that is flexible. It is preferred to have flexible material because that will minimize manufacturing costs, and provide a versatile fit for users of all types, without the limitations on movement or crouching for the user that might be encountered with molded or stiff materials. As detailed, one of the preferred aspects of a safety device be that it is simple to use and inexpensive enough to procure, so that regular usage will not be hampered. For this purpose, one might consider stout cloth material or leather, but in a preferred embodiment, the material used will be leather, because it is durable and flexible, yet can be made cheaply. Moreover, in an especially preferred embodiment, heat resistance is a highly desirable quality, as it lends a quality of versatility to the protective device, such that workmen who do not typically require protection from sparks and molten metal (e.g., landscapers operating weed wackers) could use the invention just as readily and cheaply as could say, iron workers, who are constantly exposed to spark showers and molten metal droplets. Accordingly, leather, although not fire proof, is nonetheless heat resistant, and would still provide good protection from flying debris (gravel, dirt, etc.) as well as from sparks and molten metal droplets, and a reasonable price. In one alternative embodiment, the device might be fabricated from thinly woven “asbestos glove”—type heat resistant material like that found in protective foundry gloves might be used for some welders or foundry workers, but given the relatively higher cost of such material compared to leather, such particular construction would be most likely be reserved for special welding and foundry applications when the extra cost and safety specifications warranted it. Whatever material is chosen, the material may, in an alternative embodiment, be treated as desired and as known in the art of fire retardant cloth treatments, so as to be further heat resistant and/or flame retardant. The heat resistant and flame retardant properties may be obtained by chemically treating the material, or the material may inherently have the desired heat resistant and flame retardant properties.  
         [0024]     One additional advantage to a naturally heat resistant material such as leather, is the ability to customize the appearance of the protective device according to a graphic print that appeals to user interests by providing printed, painted or engraved pictures, witty or bumper sticker-type verbiage, sport team affinity logos, and/or union or commercial sponsor information. Doing so would have at least two benefits. The first would be that, by providing amusing, interesting printed pictures, verbiage, and the like, would allow for individual expression and personalization to a workman&#39;s normally staid work clothes. This in itself would encourage usage of the safety device by capturing the imagination and self expression of workers and other users and making it “fun” to wear. The second benefit would be that advertisements or affiliation information (such as union affiliation, etc.) could be printed on the safety device, and distributed on a promotional basis, thereby defraying the cost even further. This would further encourage procurement and usage by workmen and other users.  
         [0025]     The protective footwear covering  2  of protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  can be secured to a users boot  10  or other footwear in several different ways. Although a variety of alternatives might be provided for,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show two preferred embodiments from a side perspective, as they might affix or secure the protective footwear covering  2  of the protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  to a boot  10  or other footwear of a user or wearer through the usage of the preferred upper securing means and the downwards securing means described hereafter. Each of these two preferred embodiments will be described in turn.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show respectively, the front and back side views of an embodiment of the present invention, shown from a side view by cross reference with  FIG. 2A , where the protective footwear covering  2  of protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  has been fastened on footwear such as a boot by means of an ankle strap fastener. In the illustrated figures, an ankle strap fastener  6  is used to secure the top portion of protective covering  2  around the ankle or lower calf of a user or, in the case of high boots, the boot top. As depicted, one preferred embodiment will be provided with a plurality of male snap portions  6 ′ and matching female snap portions  6 ″ that will snap together to accommodate various thicknesses of boots/or lower leg portions of the user. As further depicted, single loop with matching snap units  4  may be provided for looping around an underlying shoe lace or laces  13  that will ordinarily be on boots or other footwear, so that the single loop  4  may fold back on itself at  14 , to snap shut when the male snap portion  4 ′ and the female snap portion  4 ″ snap together, thereby securing the protective footwear covering  2  from coming off the shoe. Of course, when the shoelaces of the foot wear are tightened when a user puts on his boots, it will further tighten the protective footwear covering, especially with regards to shifting laterally to one side of the boot in a lopsided fashion.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show respectively, the front and back side views of an embodiment of the present invention, shown from a side view by cross reference with  FIG. 2A , where the protective footwear covering  2  of protective footwear and lower leg covering  1  has been fastened on footwear such as a boot by means of a footwear tongue fastener. In the illustrated figures, a footwear tongue fastener  7  is used to secure the top portion of protective covering  2  at the top of a boot at an upper lace  13 ′. As depicted, and similar to the above complementary preferred embodiment, a single loop with matching snap units  4 ′ may be provided for looping around an underlying shoe lace or laces  13  that will ordinarily be on boots or other footwear, so that the single loop  4  may fold back on itself at  14  around lace(s)  13 , to snap shut when the male snap portion  4 ′ and the female snap portion  4 ″ snap together, thereby securing the protective footwear covering  2  from coming off the shoe. Again, when the shoelaces of the foot wear are tightened when a user puts on his boots, it will further tighten the protective footwear covering, especially with regards to the top, as well as with respect to preventing any shifting laterally to one side of the boot in a lopsided fashion.  
         [0028]     While other means of fastening such as hook and fabric/Velcro®-type closures, buttons, etc. may be used in either of the above embodiments, or in other variations of the present invention, metal snaps are preferred for releasably securing the ends of the heel strap  6  together because it is understood that metallic snaps will last longest when repeatedly used, owing to the fact that there will be no ripping of the material, and/or melting from exposure to sparks or molten metal droplets.  
         [0029]     Regardless of the way in which it has been secured or affixed, the inventive device will substantially cover most, if not all, of the upwards and front facing area  11  of boot  10 , in order to shield the user from stray projectiles or sparks/molten metal that may land in the gap at the top of a boot and burn a workman&#39;s skin. Also, when affixed in this manner, the protective covering will also serve to provide an additional (e.g., sacrificial) layer of protection that sparks or molten metal droplets would burn in to, instead of the wearer&#39;s shoes or pants. Either way, the consistent usage of the protective footwear covering will also serve to prolong the life of boots and pants by protecting their most often-exposed areas during welding or grinding activities from prematurely wearing in an uneven fashion.  
         [0030]     In one alternative embodiment, a settling means, such as rudimentary weight and/or rigidity may be added throughout the covering in order to prevent the protective footwear covering  2  from flopping upwards and/or curling at the edges that may not be close enough to the affixing means distributed throughout. By way of just one such example of settling means, a metal wire  12  that has been glued or sewn on the material of the covering so that it extends along at least part of the perimeter of the covering will weight a material like leather down so that it will not flop up, or curl at the ends when exposed to water or age.  
         [0031]     When provided as such, the present invention will provide much improved safety and security for a person working with equipment such as mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, brush cutters, and in cases of painting, welding, grinding, etc. Particularly in the case of welding and grinding, the invention will prove its value in just a few months as the life of boots and/or pants, will be saved from premature wearing at the exposed portions, thereby saving the user from the maddening replacement of relatively new boots and/or pants. The materials from which the present invention is made, are relatively inexpensive, yet durable to provide for use over a long period of time, and the simple means of affixing it to a user&#39;s footwear means that it will be easy to secure to a boot, and, depending on the particular embodiment, may even be left on the boot when one takes it on and off, thereby further ensuring the consistent usage of the invention over the course of time.  
         [0032]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.