Abstract:
Boots with an integrated scent carrying system are provided. The boots include a vented scented material holder that can leave a scent trail during hunting and/or to mask one&#39;s own scent during hunting. The boots are configured to effectively deliver the scent to the hunter&#39;s environment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/852,843, filed Oct. 19, 2006, and incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to footwear and more specifically to a footwear that includes a scent carrier. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hunters carry scented substances while hunting to mask their natural human scent and attract particular animals. Commercially available scent materials are available in liquid form and can be applied directly to the hunter&#39;s apparel. The liquid can also be applied to absorbent pads that can be strapped to or otherwise attached to the hunter. Commercially available scent materials can also be in the form of a solid wafer or other material that is pre-impregnated with scent or an attractant chemical. 
     Devices for attaching scented materials to hunters are known. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,010 to Grinarmi titled Scent Dispenser For Attachment Under A Shoe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,439 to Wilcox titled Scent Or Lure Dispensing Device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,477 to Floyd titled Scented Hunting Strap, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,667 to Fore titled Device For Luring Deer. For luring purposes it can be desirable to attach the scent device so that the scent contacts the environment (e.g., the ground) and creates a scent trail as the hunter moves through the hunting environment. Preferably, the scent carrying device does not measurably add to the complexity of hunting and is not susceptible to falling off or otherwise failing in the field. In addition, since hunters sometimes wear the hunting apparel when they are not hunting and/or wear the same hunting apparel when hunting for different types of game, it is also desirable that the scent be easily removed from the hunting apparel. 
     Boots with integrated scent carrying means avoid some of the disadvantages associated with prior art scent carrying devices. Though such boots exist in the prior art, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,502 to Foster titled Scent Dispersing Boot, there is, nonetheless, a need for improved boots. There is a need in the art for an improved scent carrying devices and boots. 
     SUMMARY 
     A boot with an integrated scent carrying system is provided. The boot includes a vented scented material holder that can be conveniently loaded and unloaded. In some embodiments the holder includes a non-absorbent material to prevent the scent from permeating into the boot itself. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side view of a right footed boot according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the scent carrying compartment in a loaded closed state; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the boot of  FIG. 1  (with the sole removed) illustrating the scent carrying compartment in an unloaded closed state; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the boot of  FIG. 2  illustrating the scent compartment in an open state; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of the boot of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the boot of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of the boot of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of a right footed boot (with the sole removed) according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the scent carrying compartment in an unloaded closed state; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the boot of  FIG. 8  illustrating the scent compartment in an open state; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view of the boot of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the boot of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a back view of the boot of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a left side view of a left footed boot according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the boot of  FIG. 14  with the upper portion of the boot removed; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the boot of  FIG. 14  with the compartment in the closed position; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the boot of  FIG. 14  with the compartment in the open position; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are alternative embodiments of a portion of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a left side view of a left footed boot according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a left side view of a left footed boot according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the left footed boot according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the left footed boot according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross sectional view of an ninth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic illustration of a tenth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is side view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic illustration of an eleventh alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 32  is a side view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 34  is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the receptacle of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the receptacle of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the receptacle of  FIG. 31 ; and 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of the insert of  FIG. 31 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , a first embodiment of the boot  10  according to the invention is shown. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the boot  10  includes an upper  12  and a sole  14 . The boot  10  is illustrated with the sole  14  removed in  FIGS. 2-7 . In the depicted embodiment, the boot  10  is right footed. In other words, the boot  10  is configured to fit a person&#39;s right foot. The left footed boot is not separately illustrated or described herein as it is a mirror of the right boot  10 . The surface of the boot  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-2  is herein referred to as the right side  20  of the boot  10 , and the surface of the boot  10  shown in  FIG. 5  is herein referred to as the left side  22  of the boot  10 . The right side  20  and left side  22  of the boot  10  are divided by a line A-A shown in  FIG. 6 . The right side  20  and the left side  22  join together at the rear  30  of the boot  10  shown in  FIG. 7 . At the front of the boot  10  laces  36  hold the left and right sides  20 ,  22  together over the tongue  34  of the boot  10 . 
     The upper  12  of the boot  10  includes an ankle support portion  16  connected to a foot support portion  18 . The ankle support portion  16  is positioned above the foot support portion  18  and is for providing support to the ankle as well as for keeping the ankle dry and warm. The foot support portion  18  includes a toe end  24 , a heel end  26 , and a mid portion  28  therebetween. 
     In the depicted embodiment a vented compartment  40  for carrying scented material is located adjacent the heel end  26  on the right side  20  of the boot  10 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , an absorbent scented pad  42  is shown as a light colored rectangular member housed within the vented compartment  40 . In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment includes a meshed portion  44  bordered by a perimeter  46 . In the depicted embodiment the meshed portion is formed of a polymeric material such as a monofilament material. However, it should be appreciated that any material that enables airflow into and out of the vented compartment  40  can be used in place of the depicted mesh portion  44 . It should further be appreciated that in place of a separate mesh or grid material, the housing of the vented compartment  40  could be configured to define apertures therein. 
     The perimeter  46  comprises three sides that form a generally triangular shaped vented compartment  40 . The lowest side  52  (the side closest to the sole  14  and farther from the ankle support  16 ) is stitched onto the right side  20  of the boot  10 . In the depicted embodiment the lowest side  52  is also the longest side of the triangular shaped vented compartment  40 , and it is arranged generally parallel to the sole  14 . The lowest side is not designed to be releasable. In other words, if the lowest side of the perimeter  46  is detached from the boot  10 , reattaching it would be inconvenient and require the use of tools. 
     In contrast, the upper portion of the vented compartment  40  is designed to be releasable. In other words, it is designed to be conveniently opened and closed. A hook and loop fastening system  50  is provided along the upper portions of the perimeter  46  of the vented compartment  40 . A snap  48  is provided at the corner where the two shorter sides of the perimeter  46  join together. The snap  48  is configured such that the vented compartment  40  can snap onto the right side  20  of the heel end  26  portion of the boot  10 . In the depicted embodiment the perimeter  46  is made of a leather material. It should be appreciated that the perimeter can be made of many other materials including, for example, plastics such as TPU (a thermoplastic polyurethane). It should be further appreciated that many other alternative configurations and fastening mechanisms are also possible. 
     In the depicted embodiment the right side  20  of the boot  10  is constructed of some materials that would absorb scent. To prevent the boot  10  from retaining the scent of the scented material even after the scent materials are removed, a non-absorbent material  54  is used to line the vented compartment  40  (see  FIG. 4 ). The non-absorbent material  54  in the depicted embodiment includes a rubber construction, and it is stitched to the right side  20  of the boot  10 . It should be appreciated that many different materials could be used as the non-absorbent material  54 . It should also be appreciated that many other means of attaching the non-absorbent material  54  to the boot  10  are available, for example, the non-absorbent material could also be glued to the boot  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the left side  22  of the boot  10  does not include a vented compartment  40 . It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the vented compartment  40  can be located on the left side  22  of the boot  10  rather than the right side  20  of the boot  10 . Alternatively, vented compartment  40  could be included on both sides  20 ,  22  of the boot  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-14 , an alternative embodiment of the boot  10  is shown as boot  10 ′. Many of the components of the second embodiment of the boot  10 ′ are similar to the components of the first boot  10  embodiment. Such components are referenced with a same number primed. Boot  10 ′ includes an upper  12 ′ that includes an ankle support portion  16 ′ and a foot support portion  18 ′. The foot support portion  18 ′ includes a heel end  26 ′, a toe end  24 ′, and a mid portion  28 ′ therebetween. The boot  10 ′ includes a right side  20 ′ and a left side  22 ′ that are divided by line A′-A′ (see  FIG. 12 ). The left and right sides  20 ′,  22 ′ are pulled against a tongue  34 ′ by laces  36 ′. 
     The vented compartment  40 ′ of the second embodiment of the boot  10 ′ is configured differently than in the first embodiment of the boot  10 . The vented compartment  40 ′ includes a mesh  44 ′ bordered by a perimeter  46 ′. The compartment is generally triangular in shape. The non-absorbent material  54 ′ is stitched to the boot  10 ′ under the mesh  44 ′ to lessen the boot&#39;s  10 ′ tendency to retain the scent after the scent material (e.g., material  42  shown in  FIG. 1 ) is removed. In the second embodiment, the vented compartment  40 ′ is integrated with an auxiliary ankle support member that engages the laces  36 ′. The auxiliary ankle support extends from the heel end  26 ′ up towards the laces  36 ′ to provide extra support in the ankle area of the boot  10 ′. In place of a snap  48  the vented compartment  40 ′ includes a hook  62  (commonly known as a speed hook) at the location where two of the sides of the vented compartment  40 ′ come together. The hook  62  engages the shoe laces  36 ′. The scented materials can be loaded into the vented compartment  40 ′ when the laces  36 ′ are loosened, and secured in place by lacing up the boot  10 ′. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the auxiliary ankle support can engage the laces  36 ′ by means other than a hook  62 . For example, the laces  36 ′ can engage the auxiliary ankle support via metal or plastic eyelets, D-rings, webbing loops, and cord loops. 
     In the depicted embodiment the perimeter is constructed of a synthetic rubber material; however, it should be appreciated that other material can also be used. For example, the perimeter can include a plastic construction such as TPU (a thermoplastic polyurethane) construction. One advantage of using TPU or another moldable polymeric material is that the mesh can be co-molded into the perimeter structure, and the perimeter structure can be easily molded into a desired shape and size. In the depicted embodiment the lower edge of the vented compartment  40 ′ is stitched to the right side of the boot  10 ′. In the depicted embodiment the lower edge is disposed at an angle that is generally parallel to the angle of the forward edge  66  of the heel cup  64 . 
     In the depicted embodiment the mesh  44 ′ has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the perimeter  46 ′. This difference in thickness contributes to the creation of a cavity between the inner surface of the mesh  44 ′ and the non-absorbent liner material  54 ′, even when the vented compartment  40 ′ is in the closed position. The cavity houses the scented material (shown in  FIG. 1 ). To increase the size of the cavity, a ridge can be provided to space the perimeter  46 ′ away from the liner  54 ′. The ridge can be provided along line  60  on the non-absorbent liner material  54 ′ shown in  FIG. 10 . Alternatively, the ridge can be provided on the perimeter  46 ′. If a ridge is provided, it can be a continuous or a discontinuous ridge. In one embodiment the ridge could comprise a series of raised bumps along the line  60 . 
     In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment  40 ′ is configured such that the scented material can be compressed within the vented compartment  40 ′ by tightening the laces  36 ′, causing a portion of the scented material to protrude through the mesh opening. For example, if the scent is placed on the end of a felt pad or some other malleable material, portions of the felt pad are allowed to protrude (squeezed) through the mesh openings when the pad is secured in place. An advantage associated with this configuration is that the pad material and scent thereon could brush against other surfaces (brush, grass, trees, dirt, rocks, etc.) and disperse the scent by physical contact with the surrounding environment. 
     In both depicted embodiments, the vented compartments  40 ,  40 ′ are located at the heel end  26 ,  26 ′ of the boot  10 . Also, in both embodiments the vented compartments  40 ,  40 ′ are located on the foot support portion  18 ,  18 ′ rather than the ankle support portion  16 ,  16 ′. This location can be advantageous because it is lower on the boot  10 ,  10 ′ and is therefore less likely to be covered by a hunter&#39;s pant leg. At this location, the compartment is exposed to air flow and is able to leave a scent trail as the hunter moves through the hunting environment. Also, the location does not interfere with the normal function of the boot. Though the depicted position has some advantages described above, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the vented compartment can be located anywhere on the boot  10  including the toe end of the boot  24 ,  24 ′ or the ankle support portion of the boot  16 ,  16 ′. 
     The shape of the vented compartment  40 ,  40 ′ in both embodiments is generally triangular. Also, the mesh  44 ,  44 ′ in both embodiments is entirely surrounded by a perimeter  46 ,  46 ′. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the mesh material may not be entirely surrounded, and the perimeter  46 ,  46 ′ and the vented compartment  40 ,  40 ′ can be of any shape (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, etc.). For example, in an alternative embodiment the vented compartment may have only one side that can be accessed, and the scented material can be slid into and out of that side. Instead of a hook and loop system, the side can be held in a normally closed position via an elastic strap. Also, in other alternative embodiments the perimeter material can be elastic to enable the vented compartment to expand when loaded with scented material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-19B , a third alternative embodiment of the boot  10  is shown as boot  100 . Many of the components of the third embodiment of the boot  100  are similar to the components of the first boot  10  embodiment. Such components are referenced with a same number plus 100. Boot  100  includes a sole  140  and an upper  120 . The upper  120  includes an ankle support portion  160  and a foot support portion  180 . The foot support portion  180  includes a heel end  260 , a toe end  240 , and a mid portion  280  therebetween. The boot  100  includes a right side  200  and a left side  220  that are divided by bisecting line B-B (shown in  FIG. 17 ). The left and right sides  200 ,  220  are pulled against a tongue  340  by laces  360 . 
     The vented scent compartment  400  is located in the sole  140  under the mid portion  280  of the upper  120 . The location on the sole  140  is particularly advantageous because the sole  140  typically undergoes less abuse than the sole at the toe end  240  and heel end  260  of the boot  100 . Nonetheless, it should be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment the vented compartment  400  can be located in many other locations on the boot  100  including on the upper  120  of the boot  100  or the toe end and/or heel end of the sole  140 . The vented compartment  400  in the depicted embodiment can be molded into the sole  140  and have a mesh- or grid-like outer cover  70 . Other portions of the outer surface  72  of the vented compartment  400  can also include a grid-like construction to allow fluid flow (liquid and/or air) from the compartment as shown in  FIGS. 14-23 . The cover  70  and some other portions of the vented compartment  400  in the depicted embodiment can be constructed of a TPU material. In should be appreciated that many other materials can also be used (e.g., nylon, metal, composites, or wood) in the construction of the vented compartment  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a scented material  74  is shown housed within the vented compartment  400 . In the depicted embodiment the edges of the cover  70  are configured to slide into and out of grooves  76  on the vented compartment  400  and latch in the closed position.  FIG. 18  shows the cover  70  slid open. In alternative embodiments, some of which are described below, the cover could swing open or rotate open. The cover  70  can include many different grid configurations and they can be in various shapes and sizes. For example, see  FIG. 19A  showing cover  78  having circular vent holes and  FIG. 19B  showing a cover  80  in a circular shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a fourth and a fifth alternative embodiment are shown. In the depicted embodiment the vent compartment  401  is pulled open and closed like a dresser drawer. The cross sectional shape of the portion that opens and closes is rectangular shaped. The scented material is housed within the drawer which is perforated to allow the scent of the scented material to escape therefrom. Referring to  FIG. 21 , the cross sectional shape of the vented compartment  402  is cylindrical rather than rectangular. In the depicted embodiment, the vented compartment  402  includes perforations configured such that rotating the vented compartment  402  to a first position allows the scent to freely escape from the chamber, and rotating the vented compartment  402  to a second position impedes the escape of the scent from the vented compartment  402 . When in the first position, the apertures on the cylindrical shaped member are at least partially aligned with apertures in the outer surface of the vented compartment  402 , thereby exposing the scented material to air flow. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , a sixth embodiment of the vented compartment  403  is shown. In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment  403  is not removable. The vented compartment  403  houses an absorbent material therein that the hunter can charge with scent by dripping liquid scent into the compartment through, for example, one of the plurality of holes therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a seventh embodiment of the vented compartment  404  is shown. In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment  404  includes a perforation cover  80  that can be aligned, partially aligned, or misaligned with apertures in the compartment  404  to adjust the flow of scent out of the vented compartment  404 . It should be appreciated that the features of any embodiment can be combined with the features of any other embodiment. For example, the sixth and seventh embodiments can be combined into another embodiment where the absorbent material is permanently held within the boot, but the scent compartment can be opened to allow the free flow of scent and closed to impede the scent from escaping from the boot. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24-26 , an eighth embodiment of a vented compartment  500  is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the vented compartment is configured to be attached to an exterior surface  514  of a boot (it should be appreciated that the term boot is used herein to refer to any type of footwear). The exterior surface  514  could be any surface of the boot. In one embodiment the exterior surface is the outer sole surface of the boot adjacent the instep (i.e., the bottom of the boot between the toe portion and the heel portion). The vented compartment includes a body portion  502  that houses a scented material  504  and opposed elastic loops  506 ,  508  configured to removably attach the body portion  502  to bosses  510 ,  512  on the boot surface  514 . The scented material  504  can be a scented felt material which is placed into the body portion  502  of the vented compartment prior to stretching the elastic members  506 ,  508  over the bosses  510 ,  512 . In the depicted embodiment the body portion  502  is rectangular shaped and includes opposed grooved side surfaces  516 ,  518  for added grip. The body portion includes a top outer facing surface  520  that includes apertures therein to allow the scent from the scented material  504  to escape. In the depicted embodiment, the apertures consist of two columns of circular shaped holes. In particular, the holes are configured such that a portion of the scented material  504  protrudes therefrom. In the depicted embodiment the outer surface  514  of the boot includes a plurality of protrusions  524  positioned between the bosses  510 ,  512 . The protrusions  524  push against portions of the scented material  504  so that the scented material  504  protrudes from the top surface  520  of the body portion  502  of the vented compartment  500 . The protrusions  524  in the depicted embodiment are laid out on the outer surface  514  to match up with the apertures  522 . It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the vented compartment  500  the protrusions  524  can be arranged differently or completely eliminated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , a ninth embodiment of a vented compartment  550  is shown. The vented compartment  550  is generally similar to the vented compartment  500 . The vented compartment  550  is configured to be attached to an exterior surface  552  of the sole  570  of a boot. The vented compartment includes a body portion  554  that houses a scented material  556  and opposed elastic loops  558 ,  560  configured to removably attach the body portion  554  to bosses  562 ,  564  on the boot surface  552 . The body portion  554  includes an outer facing surface that includes apertures therein to allow the scent from the scented material  556  to escape. In the depicted embodiment, a resilient material  568  (e.g., foam, rubber, etc.) is positioned between the outer surface  552  of the boot and the scented material  556 . The resilient material  568  is dome-shaped and is configured to push against portions of the scented material  556  so that the scented material  556  protrudes from the top surface of the body portion  554  of the vented compartment  550 . The resilient material could include surface features  572  that match up with the apertures on the outer facing surface of the body portion  554  of the vented compartment  550 . The depicted configuration enhances contact between the scented material  556  and the ground surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-30 , a tenth embodiment of a vented compartment  600  is shown. The vented compartment  600  is molded to the bottom surface  602  of the boot  604 . It should be appreciated that alternative attachment/mounting means are possible. In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment  600  is located in the mid portion of the sole between the toe and the heel of the boot  604 . In the depicted embodiment the vented compartment  600  is generally rectangular with four sides  606 ,  608 ,  610 ,  612  and a cover  614 . The cover  614  includes a number of square shaped apertures  618  and is connected to the side  612 , for example, via a living hinge  616 . When the scented material  620  is secured inside the vented compartment  600 , portions of the scented material can extend out of the cover (see  FIG. 29 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 31-33 , an eleventh embodiment of the vented compartment  650  is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the vented compartment  650  is located in the sole  652  of the boot. The vented compartment is configured such that portions of the scented material  654  are exposed to the ground when secured in the boot. The scented material  654  is partially housed in an insert  656  that is slidably received in the sole  652 . In the depicted embodiment the insert includes an elongated body portion  660  and a handle portion  662 . The handle portion  662  can include ridges for gripping (see the textured surface  659  shown in  FIG. 37 ). In the depicted embodiment a receptacle  658  is shown molded into the boot. The receptacle  658  is configured to mate with the insert  656  and secure the scent material  654  in the boot. In the depicted embodiment, the receptacle forms a channel which is sized to receive the insert. 
       FIGS. 34-36  illustrate several alternate configurations of the receptacle  658 . The receptacle  657  of  FIG. 34  includes a slotted body portion  659  between two flanges  661 . The receptacle  663  of  FIG. 35  includes a unslotted body portion  665  between two flanges  667 . The receptacle  663  of  FIG. 35  includes an unslotted body portion  665  between two flanges  667 . The receptacle  669  of  FIG. 35  includes a partially slotted body portion  671  without flanges. It should be appreciated that many other alternative embodiments are also possible. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.