Abstract:
A shoe converter comprising: an elongated tubular body; an upper opening of said elongated tubular body to receive a leg; a lower portion of said elongated tubular body covering a shoe; a fastening means attached to said lower portion on each side of said shoe; and a strap to connect said fastening means under said shoe wherein said elongated tubular body changes the appearance of said shoe and said lower portion is secured against said shoe by said fastening means and said strap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Fashionable shoes and economical savings are not often used in the same conversation. Most shoe buyers understand that to stay up to date with the latest shoe fashions, much effort must be put into purchasing new styles, meaning costly shoe investments and strains on the pocketbook. With more consumers consciously tracking what they are spending, cost effectiveness and savings are ever present on the consumer&#39;s mind. 
         [0002]    In the current market, there are limited alternatives for individuals to update or transform their own footwear look. Altering the look to a person&#39;s current selection of shoes is not an easy task and may be costly and time consuming. U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,022 discloses a boot covering which can be worn over a tall boot. The coverings may be have different designs or textures, and may be interchanged to change the look of the wearer&#39;s boot. A problem with this covering is that the support for the device comes from the boot itself, thus only boots may be worn. Another type of boot covering, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,559, provides a footwear accessory which when worn with shoes gives the appearance of a boot. The accessory may cover the foot of the wearer with a stocking like material and the leg of the wearer with a material which simulates a boot. A problem with this accessory is that the stocking portion may become uncomfortable during wear and it is obvious that the simulated boot and shoe are not the same unit. Also, the above prior art provides only an appearance of a boot. 
         [0003]    It would be beneficial to have a shoe accessory or covering which not only simulates a boot but also gives the appearance of other shoe styles. Another benefit would be to have a securing mechanism which does not allow the covering to slide up the leg or shift while being worn. Finally, a covering which is cost effective and interchangeable would be highly desired in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a shoe converter comprising: an elongated tubular body; an upper opening of said elongated tubular body to receive a leg; a lower portion of said elongated tubular body covering a shoe; a fastening means attached to said lower portion on each side of said shoe; and a strap to connect said fastening means under said shoe wherein said elongated tubular body changes the appearance of said shoe and said lower portion is secured against said shoe by said fastening means and said strap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention according to the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoe converter according to the present invention, 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a fastening means according to the present invention, 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of a second fastening means according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side of a third fastening means according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of a fourth fastening means according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide consumers with a fashionable shoe converter that may be worn with a wide variety of shoe types and styles. The converter may be made from a variety of fabrics and materials to create different looks with only a few types of shoes. The converter may permit the users to transform shoes easily and quickly from a day to evening look without the expense of purchasing additional shoes. 
         [0012]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar references characters denote similar elements throughout several views. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a shoe converter ( 10 ) is shown, which may comprise a body ( 11 ), an upper fastening means ( 12 ), an upper opening ( 13 ), a lower fastening portion ( 14 ) and a fastening device ( 15  and  16 ). The body ( 11 ) may have a tubular shape, which may cover a portion of a shoe or boot ( 17 ), like the ankle or the top of the foot. The shoe converter ( 10 ) may slide over the shoe ( 17 ) and leg of the wearer or may be secured around the shoe ( 17 ) and the leg by opening an attachment means (not shown) and closing it for a snug fit around the leg. The attachment means may be a zipper, Velcro, laces or even buttons. The attachment means may allow the shoe converter ( 10 ) to be worn by individuals with different sizes of shoes, ankles or claves. 
         [0013]    The upper opening ( 13 ) may be secured to the leg by the upper fastening means ( 12 ). The upper fastening means ( 12 ) may consist of an elastic band or strip, which is attached inside the upper portion of the body ( 11 ). The upper fastening means ( 12 ) may maintain the structure of the shoe converter ( 10 ) by tightly wrapping around the leg so that the shoe converter ( 10 ) will not slide or bunch down on the ankle. The shoe converter ( 10 ) may also maintain its structure due to the material used for the body ( 11 ). With a stiff material, like leather or flexible vinyl, the body ( 11 ) of the shoe converter ( 10 ) may maintain its structure without the assistance of the upper fastening means ( 12 ). 
         [0014]    The body ( 11 ) may be decorative by utilizing different fabrics or materials to construct the shoe converter ( 10 ). The materials may include leather, vinyl, faux fur, chenille or other aesthetically pleasing materials. Also, the outer surface of the body ( 10 ) may be covered with color, prints, embellishment or other decorative means depending on the wearer&#39;s desired style and fashion objective. Finally, the length of the body ( 11 ) may differ depending on fashion preferences. The body ( 11 ) may also rise just above the wearer&#39;s ankle giving the appearance of a bootie style shoe. The body ( 11 ) may rise to just below the knee or even above the knee depending on the style preferences. 
         [0015]    The lower fastening portion ( 14 ) may have a means to attach a fastening device ( 15  and  16 ) to the shoe converter ( 10 ). The fastening device ( 15  and  16 ) may comprise a fastener ( 15 ) and a strap ( 16 ). The fastener ( 15 ) may be a hook, a bungee fastener, a button or any other fastening means known and understood in the art. The strap ( 16 ) may have fasteners ( 15 ) at each end, and the strap ( 16 ) may be pulled and stretched across the sole ( 19 ) of the shoe ( 17 ). The fasteners ( 15 ) at each end of the strap ( 16 ) may attach to the opposing fastening portions ( 14 ) of the shoe converter ( 10 ). The strap ( 16 ) is held in place by fitting snuggly against where the sole ( 19 ) meets the heel ( 18 ). The strap ( 16 ) may be comprised of elastic, plastic, mental chain or other materials durable enough to be worn under a shoe. The fastener ( 15 ) may be sewn or attached to the inside of the fastening portion ( 14 ), so that the material of the body ( 10 ) covers the fastener ( 15 ). The fastening device ( 15  and  16 ) may ensure that the shoe converter ( 10 ) does not shift or bunch on the wearer&#39;s leg. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the view is an enlarged perspective of a fastening means ( 20 ) which may comprise an eyelet ( 21 ), a head ( 24 ) with a hook ( 23 ) and a strap ( 25 ). The eyelet ( 21 ) may be sewn or assembled to the fastening portion ( 14 ) of the shoe converter ( 10 ) through the attachment holes ( 22 ). The strap ( 25 ) may have two heads ( 24 ) attached at each end. The head ( 24 ) may slide through the eyelet ( 21 ) in one direction and when pulled back in the opposite direction. The hook ( 23 ) may wrap around the eyelet ( 21 ), interlocking the head ( 24 ) to the eyelet ( 21 ). The head ( 24 ) may be easily released from the eyelet ( 21 ) by simply pushing up in the first direction and then manually checking to ensure that the hook ( 23 ) does not catch when pulling back in the opposite direction. The fastening means ( 20 ) may be attached on the inside of the fastening portion ( 14 ) so that the head ( 24 ), hook ( 23 ) and eyelet ( 21 ) assembly are covered and not seen outside of the shoe converter ( 10 ). 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a second fastening means is shown, consisting of a cord ( 31 ) and a head ( 32 ). The cord ( 31 ) may be comprised of a strong elastic or leather. The head ( 32 ) may have a first opening ( 33 ) which may receive the cord ( 31 ), and a second opening ( 34 ) which may expel the excess cord ( 31 ). The head ( 32 ) may move along the cord ( 31 ) like a drawstring wherein the first opening ( 33 ) may be tight enough around the cord ( 31 ) to prevent simple movements. The head ( 32 ) may be forcibly moved when someone manually pulls hard on the end of the cord ( 35 ) which will allow the head ( 32 ) to slide. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 4  a third fastening means is shown consisting of a cord ( 41 ) and a head ( 42 ). This fastening means is similar to the fastening means shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the device may work like a drawstring. The head ( 42 ) may have a receiving hole ( 44 ) which may receive the end ( 45 ) of the cord ( 41 ). The head ( 42 ) may have a push button ( 43 ) which when pushed down allows the head ( 42 ) to easily slide along the cord ( 41 ) and when the push button ( 43 ) is released this prevents the head ( 42 ) from moving. The end ( 45 ) of the cord ( 41 ) may be tied in a knot to prevent head ( 42 ) from slipping off of the cord ( 41 ). 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 5  a fourth fastening means is shown consisting of a chain ( 51 ) and button ( 52 ). The button ( 52 ) may attach to a slit cut into the lower fastening portion ( 14 ) of the shoe converter ( 10 ). The button ( 52 ) may be seen outside of the material of the lower fastening portion ( 14 ). The button ( 52 ) may coordinate with the style and textures used for the material of the body ( 11 ). For example, the button ( 52 ) may be colored, made of wood, a large rhinestone or any other creative bauble which may be pleasing to the creator and wearer. 
         [0020]    The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.