Abstract:
A stretchable protective cover for footwear, formed from a natural rubber or elastomeric material. Small particles of activated carbon are interspersed in the material making up the cover, in order to suppress the scent of a wearer. The footwear cover may have a textured bottom surface to resist slippage. The cover is configured to completely cover and surround at least a portion of the footwear below the ankle area thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a non-provisional application, which claims priority from a pending provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/755,162 filed Dec. 30, 2005. The subject matter of the priority document is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a footwear cover apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a footwear cover apparatus formed from a resiliently flexible rubber or elastomeric material, in which particles of activated carbon are interspersed through the material of the cover, to provide scent-dampening (scent-suppressing) properties thereto.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Background Art  
         [0005]     Various materials containing activated carbon are known for the purpose of dampening or suppressing scent. The ability to dampen scent is particularly important to hunters in wildlife because of the strong sense of smell is possessed by most animals. Large game especially is known to avoid areas containing even trace amounts of human scent. Human scent can be transmitted through the air or it can be transmitted directly onto elements of the environment through direct contact.  
         [0006]     Most articles of clothing including boots and shoes are highly permeable, and therefore provide virtually no scent-dampening value. In other words, the articles worn by naturalists are permeable, which do not have scent suppressing characteristics. Even impermeable articles may not have scent dampening properties if such articles are not treated with scent suppressing material or formed from such material.  
         [0007]     The prior art discloses that there are known compounds that can be added to materials in order to provide scent-dampening. In particular, adding particles of activated carbon has been known in certain applications for dampening scent.  
         [0008]     Examples of some of the known inventions relating to scent-dampening include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,008, U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,930, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,107, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,064, U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,324, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,704, U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,955, U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,406, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,961.  
         [0009]     Although the known devices have some utility for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a simple and inexpensive scent-dampening footwear cover.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Accordingly, in an illustrative embodiment hereof, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for placing a water-resistant overshoe over the shoes or boots of a hunter or naturalist, in order to dampen or suppress scent which would otherwise be emanating from a person&#39;s feet.  
         [0011]     Hunters are likely to already possess boots or shoes, however many footwear choices lack scent-dampening properties. A hunter many have grown accustomed to a particular brand or type of footwear that lacks scent-dampening properties. Moreover, it may be that certain footwear that is particularly adapted to certain conditions or terrain, but that such footwear lacks scent-dampening properties. Therefore, the footwear cover according to the invention may be placed over such preferred footwear, in order to provide scent-dampening properties to footwear that otherwise lacks such properties.  
         [0012]     Footwear is available in many designs and shapes. Accordingly, the footwear covering according to the invention is made stretchable to accommodate numerous different designs and shapes of footwear. Such a generic shape reduces or eliminates the need to match the shape of the footwear cover to any specific shoe or boot design.  
         [0013]     Given that the present invention is worn on one&#39;s feet, the footwear coverings may be exposed to significant wear and tear. Accordingly, the footwear covering according to the invention may be made inexpensive and easily replaceable. A simple construction where two symmetric boot-like cutouts are bonded together allows for inexpensive production of the present invention. Moreover, as this construction employs flat sheet material, the present invention is thin and compact, and can be efficiently packaged, stored, and transported.  
         [0014]     Footwear, especially the type adapted for natural or rustic terrain, normally includes a thick sole with many grooves and cutouts to provide traction. While it is unlikely that the present invention will be worn for long distances or durations, it would be advantageous to provide a frictional surface on a bottom surface of the footwear covers according to the present invention, to maintain sole traction and minimize slippage when used, for example, in climbing a ladder or tree stand. Accordingly, a rough or high-friction surface may be provided over a bottom part of the covering.  
         [0015]     In certain applications, it is desirable to wear colors that blend in with the surroundings. Similarly, in other applications, it is desirable to achieve the opposite result. Hunters at times may want to employ a camouflage color scheme to blend in with the natural environment. However, some hunting regulations require hunters to wear bright colors in order to standout from the surroundings. Accordingly, the footwear covering may be colored in any number of colors or patterns to suit various needs.  
         [0016]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a portion of a leg and foot of a user wearing a footwear cover according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of a footwear cover according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shown in a flat storage condition and partially peeled away to illustrate the dual thickness thereof;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of the material used to construct the footwear cover of  FIGS. 1-2 , showing carbon particles dispersed in a binder. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     It should be understood that only structures considered necessary for clarifying the present invention are described herein. Other conventional structures, and those of ancillary and auxiliary components of the system, are assumed to be known and understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0021]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an overshoe or footwear cover  10  according to a selected illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows the footwear cover  10  being worn on the foot of a user, covering and surrounding the user&#39;s shoe.  
         [0022]     The footwear cover  10  is made of a stretchably resilient material, so that it can be placed over a user&#39;s normal footwear. Suitable materials include latex rubber, mixtures of compounds including latex as a component thereof, and suitable elastomers.  
         [0000]     Footwear Covering Material  
         [0023]     The footwear covering material is a flat, flexible, sheet made from a resilient rubber or an elastomeric substance. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the material includes a flexible binder  12 , and a pluraliity of carbon particles  14  dispersed within the binder. In one illustrative embodiment, the carbon particles are finely divided or pulverulent activated carbon. The carbon particles  14  are irregularly shaped, and may have an average size in a range between 0.001 and 0.5 mm in diameter.  
         [0024]     The carbon particles  14  of the footwear cover  10  tend to dampen or absorb the scent of a human, thereby reducing the likelihood that the human&#39;s presence will be detected by game animals or other prey. This should contribute to a more successful hunting or other outdoor experience.  
         [0000]     Footwear Covering Design  
         [0025]     The present invention employs the scent-dampening material as described above to form a footwear covering. Two or more substantially symmetric sheets of the material are die-cut into a shape approximating the silhouette of a human foot, as shown in  FIG. 2 . These sheets are then glued or otherwise bonded together along much of (substantial portion of) their perimeter to define a foot receiving portion therebetween. The foot receiving portion accommodates a substantial portion of the footwear unit, e.g., shoe, boot, etc. worn by a user.  
         [0026]     In other words, the foot receiving portion  40  is an enclosed portion and is formed between the upper portion  20  and a sole portion  22 . The foot receiving portion securely holds a shoe (including portion of the foot) of the user while using the footwear cover  10 . The bond can be effectuated by an adhesive or by heat and pressure.  
         [0027]     It will be understood that at a top portion of the footwear cover  10 , the two sheets, layers are kept separated to form an opening  42  therebetween, in order to allow a user to insert his or her foot between the two sheets  16 ,  18 . The opening  42 , which is stretchable, allows insertion the shoe into the foot receiving portion  40 .  
         [0028]     Each of the sheets  16 ,  18  includes the upper portion  20  and an integrally connected sole portion  22 . A front end of the footwear cover  10  is rounded and defines a toe area  24 . A heel area  26  is provided opposing the toe area  24  on a back end of the footwear cover  10 . The upper portion  20  of the footwear cover  10  includes an integrally connected ankle covering near the heel.  
         [0029]     The sole area  22  of the footwear cover  10  is made to be a non-shiny friction-promoting surface, and may, optionally, have a rough friction-promoting material thereon that provides an enhanced level of traction. One example of a friction-promoting material which may be used is ground walnut shells. Other suitable friction-promoting materials are known in the art. The sole area  22  of the footwear cover  10  may further have a pattern of ridges molded onto the surface thereof, if desired.  
         [0030]     Optionally, a loop  30  may either be attached to, or integrally formed along the edge of the ankle covering. In use, a lace or cord may be passed though the loop, and the two loose ends of the cord may be joined together with a cord lock or any other adjustable fastener known to the art, in order to tighten the top of the footwear cover  10  in place about a user&#39;s ankle. Alternatively, the loop may be made longer and elastic, and a stud or other attachment structure may be provided to allow the loop to be passed around the ankle portion of a user&#39;s foot, and fastened back on to the cover  10 .  
         [0000]     Method of Use  
         [0031]     The present invention also includes a method for suppressing scent emanating from human feet. One illustrative embodiment of such a method is as follows:  
         [0032]     Step 1. Approach the sensitive field area that requires minimum amounts of human scent. Normally, it would not be desirable to wear the subject footwear coverings at all times. Typically, the subject footwear coverings will only be worn in the more sensitive field areas and environments.  
         [0033]     Step 2. Unpack the stowed footwear coverings. The thin, simple design allows the footwear coverings to be folded, rolled, or otherwise compacted to a small volume. When compacted, a pair of footwear coverings can easily fit in a jacket pocket, backpack pocket, or similar storage compartment.  
         [0034]     Step 3. Remove excess mud and debris from the wearer&#39;s shoes or boots.  
         [0035]     Step 4. Insert first foot into first footwear cover, stretching the cover as needed to get it to slip over the normal footwear.  
         [0036]     Step 5. Insert second foot into second footwear cover, stretching the cover as needed to get it to slip over the normal footwear.  
         [0037]     Step 6. If necessary, tuck first pant leg into first footwear cover.  
         [0038]     Step 7. If necessary, tuck second pant leg into second footwear cover.  
         [0039]     Step 8. Optionally, where appropriate, secure footwear coverings as needed, by tightening the respective cords and adjusting the cord locks.  
         [0040]     Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific illustrative embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the preferred embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.