Patent Publication Number: US-2007113424-A1

Title: Overshoes with raised inner surface portions and slip resistant sole portions for use on primary footwear

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly to overshoes (as defined below) for use on primary footwear to provide good traction and wearing comfort.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Various overshoes, sandals, slings and other style attachment devices have been disclosed in the patent literature for mounting over the sole of a primary footwear, e.g., a boot or shoe, to provide enhanced traction or resistance to slippage. Such attachments may be in the form of galosh pull-over devices, like those disclosed in our U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,160,331 and 5,396,717, or sandal type devices, like those disclosed in our U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,359,789, 5,463,823, 5,533,277, 5,659,978 and 5,813,143, or other kinds of attachment devices like those disclosed in our U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,901, 5,794,360, 5,921,005, 5,966,840 and 6,154,982. The disclosures of all of those foregoing prior patents are specifically incorporated by reference herein.  
      Other non-slip attachments for footwear have been disclosed in the patent literature, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 1,032,600 (Grout); U.S. Pat. No. 2,361,972 (Smith); U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,850 (McNair); U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,181 (Jordan); U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,238 (Peyser); U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,172 (Bryant); U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,939 (McNeil et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,883 (Zock, Jr.). The 32 North Corporation of Kennebunk Me. sells an ice gripping sandal for use on primary footwear under the trademark STABILICERS. That sandal includes a sole which is arranged to be secured to the bottom surface of the sole of a primary boot or shoe by means of two strapping assemblies, namely, a front or toe strapping assembly and a rear or heel strapping assembly.  
      Still other prior art attachment devices for footwear are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,716,790 (Mitchell), U.S. Pat. No. 1,747,603 (Ruth), U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,316 (Beals, Jr.), U.S. Pat. No. 1,877,080 (Teshima), U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,316 (Beals, Jr.), U.S. Pat. No. 2,617,209 (Jackson), U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,437 (Forsythe), U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,478 (Gilbert), U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,343 (Dinkel), U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,451 (Helkemeyer), U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,888 (Rickman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,890 (Covell et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,302 (Saltsman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,662 (Ilon), U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,372 (McCall), U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,000 (York), U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,664 (McGregor et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,608 (Mongonye), U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,687 (Rohde), U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,582 (Liautand), U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,334 (Gehardt), and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 131,318 (Levin).  
      Various sling-type, anti-slip footwear attachment devices have been and are commercially available for mounting on a boot or shoe, to provide resistance to slippage on ice or snow or other slick surfaces. One such sling type attachment device for footwear is sold under the trademark SPIKY and is in the form of a resilient rubber sling having plural metal spikes or cleats on the bottom thereof and which are arranged to dig into ice when the attachment is worn over an article of primary footwear, e.g., a boot or shoe. Prior art sling-type devices can be classified in two basic varieties or types, namely, the “full sole” and the “half sole” types. The full sole sling-type device is typically molded as a one-piece unit of a stretchable material, e.g., rubber, and includes a sole portion extending under both the forefoot and heel regions of the primary footwear and with toe straps or loops and heel counter straps or loops for disposition on respective portions of the upper of the primary footwear to hold the device in place. The sole may or may not include an arch portion. Spikes or cleats of metal or some other hard material are typically provided projecting downward from portions of the device&#39;s sole in the toe/forefoot region and in the heel region. The full sole attachment device offers significant protection from slippage, due to the use of the ice/snow engaging spikes in both the toe/forefoot and heel regions of the device. The half sole footwear attachment device is similar to the full sole type, except that it doesn&#39;t include any sole portion at the location of the heel of the primary footwear. Instead the portion of the half sole device which is located in the heel region of the primary footwear includes an opening or hole through which the heel of the primary footwear extends when the device is in place thereon.  
      Attachment devices in the form of overshoes formed of a fabric material, e.g., nylon, upper and having a sole formed of rubber or some other somewhat flexible or resilient material are also commercially available.  
      Footwear attachment devices, some of which are constructed under one or more of our above identified patents, are commercially available from Jordan David Safety of Horsham, Pa. under one or more of the following trademarks: 21 ST  CENTURY, GRIPS®, GRIP X, ICE GRIPS, GRIPS LITE, GRIPPERS FOR STRIPPERS, ALTRAGRIPS, SPIDERZ, and SPIDERZ OVER THE SHOE.  
      All of the foregoing prior art overshoes, sandals, sling-type devices and other types of devices for attachment to primary footwear and which include at least one portion that is arranged to engage a portion of the upper of the primary footwear to hold the device in place over the sole of the primary footwear will be hereinafter collectively referred to as being “overshoes”. The subject invention is directed to all such types of overshoes and the term overshoe as used in the claims is to be given such an expansive interpretation.  
      While prior overshoes may be suitable for their intended purposes a need nevertheless exists for overshoes that provide enhanced shock absorption, wearing comfort, good traction and resistance to slippage, and which can be manufactured easily and economically. The overshoes of the subject invention address those needs.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided an overshoe for disposition over a primary footwear. The primary footwear has an upper, a sole and a heel. The upper has a toe portion and a heel portion. The overshoe comprises an upper portion and a sole portion. The upper portion has a hollow interior adapted for receipt of at least a portion of the primary footwear. The sole portion of the overshoe comprises a ground engaging bottom surface and support means in the form of at least one projection extending upward adjacent the hollow interior of the upper portion and which is adapted to support a portion of the sole of the primary footwear. The sole portion of the overshoe is in the form of a solid mass of resilient material located between said ground engaging bottom surface and the at least one projection to provide shock absorption for the primary footwear.  
      In accordance with another aspect of this invention the overshoe comprises an upper portion and a sole portion. The upper portion has a hollow interior for receipt of at least a portion the primary footwear. The sole portion comprises a bi-component member and at least one spike. The bi-component member comprises a preformed upper layer formed of a resilient material and a preformed lower layer formed of a resilient material of substantially the same durometer as the upper layer. The at least one spike has a free end. The lower layer of the sole portion has an upper surface, a ground-engaging bottom surface and at least one cavity. The at least one cavity is open to the upper surface and the ground-engaging bottom surface and is arranged to receive therein the at least one spike, whereupon the free end of the at least one spike is exposed at the ground-engaging bottom surface. The upper layer is fixedly secured to the lower layer, whereupon the at least one spike is held securely in place within the at least one cavity.  
      Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described below. The advantages described below will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view, partially broken away showing one exemplary embodiment of an overshoe constructed in accordance with this invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the inside surface of the overshoe of  FIG. 1 , with portions of the upper portion of that overshoe being shown by phantom lines;  
       FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view taken along the central longitudinal axis and showing a portion of the upper portion and the sole portion of the overshoe of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing an alternative sole portion of the overshoe;  
       FIG. 5  is a vertical sectional view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing another alternative sole portion of the overshoe;  
       FIG. 6  is a vertical sectional view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing still another alternative sole portion of the overshoe;  
       FIG. 7  is a vertical sectional view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing still an alternative sole portion of the overshoe;  
       FIG. 7A  is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the overshoe shown within the circular area  7 A in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a vertical sectional view, similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing yet another alternative sole portion of the overshoe;  
       FIG. 8A  is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the overshoe shown within the circular area  8 A in  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view showing another exemplary embodiment of an overshoe constructed in accordance with this invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a vertical sectional view taken along the central longitudinal axis of still another exemplary embodiment of an overshoe constructed in accordance with this invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a vertical sectional view taken along the central longitudinal axis in the toe region of still another exemplary embodiment of an overshoe constructed in accordance with this invention; and  
       FIG. 12  is a vertical sectional view taken along the central longitudinal axis in the toe region of yet another exemplary embodiment of an overshoe constructed in accordance with this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at  20  in  FIG. 1  one exemplary type of overshoe constructed in accordance with one exemplary aspect of this invention for mounting onto any type of conventional footwear, e.g., a boot, shoe, etc. The overshoe  20  is of the “galosh” type and basically comprises an upper portion  22  and a sole portion  24 , which together define a hollow interior  26  for receipt of the primary footwear  10  (shown by phantom lines in  FIG. 3 ). The overshoe  20  is preferably formed, e.g., molded, as a one-piece or unitary member of a flexible and resilient material, e.g., rubber, PVC, TPR etc., in the interests of manufacturing simplicity and economy. The upper portion  22  includes an opening  28  at its top in communication with the hollow interior  26  through which the primary footwear  10  can be extended to mount the overshoe on the primary footwear. The bottom of the hollow interior  26  terminates at the upper surface  30  of the sole portion  24 .  
      Before describing further details of the overshoe, including features of its upper surface  30 , a brief description of the construction of the primary footwear is in order. Thus, as can be seen in  FIG. 3  the primary footwear  10  basically comprises an upper  11 , a sole  12  and a heel  13 . The upper includes a toe and contiguous forefoot region  11 A, an arch region  11 B and a heel region  11 C terminating at a heel counter  11 D. The sole and heel may be formed of separate components which are secured together, e.g., glued, sewn, etc. or may be in the form of an integral unit, e.g., a one-piece molded member extending from the toe to the heel counter. It should be noted that the primary footwear need not include a raised heel, like shown in  FIG. 3 . In this regard, the sole of the primary footwear  10  may extend the full length of the primary footwear, with its outside surface being generally planar, like a running shoe, bowling shoe or other athletic shoe. In any case the primary footwear  10  includes a bottom surface  14  which is arranged to engage the ground or any other surface on which the person wearing the primary footwear walks or stands. This bottom surface  14  of the primary footwear is the surface that engages the inner surface of the overshoe  20 , when the overshoe is in place on the primary footwear  10 .  
      As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the sole portion  24  of the overshoe  20  comprises a toe and contiguous forefoot section  24 A, an arch portion  24 B and a heel portion  24 C terminating at the heel counter  22 D of the upper portion  22 . The outer surface  32 A of the sole portion  24  in the toe and contiguous forefoot region and the outer surface  32 C in the heel region serves as the ground engaging or bottom surfaces of the overshoe. To that end the outer surfaces  32 A and  32 C are generally coplanar. The outer surface  32 B of the sole portion in the arch region is somewhat recessed from the coplanar surfaces  32 A and  32 C, but could if desired be coplanar therewith.  
      As mentioned above the inner surface  30  of the sole portion  24  forms the bottom of the hollow interior  26  of the overshoe. In accordance with one aspect of this invention the inner surface  30  of the sole portion includes support means  34  to provide cushioning and shock absorption for the wearer. The support means  34  will be described in detail hereinafter. Suffice it for now to state that the support means  34  is in the form of at least one projection extending upward contiguous the hollow interior  26  of the upper portion  22 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  the support  34  means forms the inner surface  30  of the sole portion and hence the bottom of the hollow interior  26  of the overshoe.  
      The at least one projection of the support means  34  is adapted to support at least a portion of the ground-engaging surface of the primary footwear thereon to provide cushioning and shock absorption for the primary footwear. To that end the sole portion of the overshoe at the location of the at least one projection is in the form of a solid mass or body of resilient material located between the ground engaging bottom surface of the overshoe and the top surface of the at least one projection. This mass of resilient material provides the cushioning and shock absorption functions for the overshoe.  
      In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the support means  34  extends into the hollow interior  26  of the upper to support the toe/forefoot section and the heel section of the primary footwear  10  when overshoe is in place on the primary footwear and the wearer either stands or walks on the ground or some other surface. The support means  34  basically comprises a first set of plural ridges  34 A located within the toe and contiguous forefoot region  24 A, a second set of plural ridges  34 B located within the heel region  24 C adjacent the arch region, and a single ridge  34 C located in the heel region adjacent the heel counter  22 D. The ridges  34 A of the first set are each elongated generally linear members and extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis  36  of the overshoe. The ridges of the second set are also each elongated generally linear members, but extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis  36  of the overshoe. The upper surface of each of the ridges is arcuate. In the exemplary embodiment shown the ridges  36 A extend at the acute angle to the longitudinal axis in the interest of flexibility of the overshoe in the toe-forefoot region since that angle is consistent with the angle of the metatarsal bones. The ridge  34 C is generally U-shaped since it is located immediately adjacent the heel counter and thus will provide good support and cushioning for the heel of the primary footwear during the normal heel strike action as a person walks with the overshoe on his/her primary footwear.  
      It must be pointed out at this juncture that the number, size, shape, orientation and location of the projection(s) forming the support means of this invention, need not be like that shown and described above. Thus, one or more differently shaped, sized, and oriented projections can be located at any desired position in any sole region of the overshoe where cushioning and shock absorption is desired.  
      In  FIG. 4 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of an overshoe  100  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  100  is similar in construction to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , except for the construction of the ground engaging surface. Thus, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  100  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  20 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The overshoe  100  includes an outsole  102  made up of two sections  102 A and  102 B. The sections  102 A and  102 B are adhesively secured via layers  104 A and  104 B, respectively, to the planar surfaces  32 A and  32 C of the sole portions  24 A and  24 C, respectively. Each outsole section  102 A and  102 B may be in the form of a foam pad, like shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the outsole sections  102 A and  102 B may be in the form of a loosely entangled, non-abrasive fibrous mat, such as the type making up the outsole of the GRIPPERS FOR STRIPPERS product identified above.  
      In  FIG. 5 , there is shown another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  200  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  200  is similar in construction to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , except for the construction of the ground engaging surface. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  200  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  20  and  100 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The overshoe  200  includes an outsole  202  made up of two sections  202 A and  202 B. The sections  202 A and  202 B are fixedly secured via means not shown, e.g., an adhesive, to the planar surfaces  32 A and  32 C of the sole portions  24 A and  24 C, respectively. Each outsole section  202 A and  202 B basically comprises an intersecting grid of small width, linear grooves  204  in its ground engaging surface. The grid is made up of one group of grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis  36  of the overshoe and another group extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An outsole of that type is included in the SPIDERZ product identified above.  
      In  FIG. 6 , there is shown still another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  300  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  300  is similar in construction to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , except for the construction of the ground engaging surface. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  300  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  20 ,  100  and  200 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The overshoe includes outsole sections  202 A and  202 B like that of overshoe  200  and two respective midsole sections  304 A and  304 B. The midsole section  304 A is in the form of a foam or other shock absorbing material and is interposed and secured, via means (not shown), between the planar surface  32 A of the sole portion  24 A and the inner surface of outsole section  202 A. Similarly, the midsole section  304 B is in the form of a foam or other shock absorbing material and is interposed and secured, via means (not shown), between the planar surface  32 C of the sole portion  24 C and the inner surface of outsole section  202 B.  
      In  FIG. 7 , there is shown still another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  400  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  400  is similar in construction to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , except for the construction of the ground engaging outsole. In particular, the overshoe  400  includes outsole sections having plural spikes (to be described later) to increase traction when worn on ice, snow or other slippery surfaces. Moreover, the construction of the overshoe  400 , enables it to be fabricated with the spikes therein in a very expeditious manner that offers advantages over prior art techniques, e.g., molding footwear soles with spikes in situ.  
      As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  400  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  20 ,  100 ,  200  and  300 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The overshoe  400  includes outsole sections  402 A and  402 B, each of which includes plural spikes  404  therein. The spikes are constructed of any suitable material or combinations of materials, e.g., tungsten carbide, titanium, stainless steel, hard plastics, etc., depending upon the application for the overshoe.  
      The outsole sections  402 A and  402 B are secured, e.g., glued, to the bottom surfaces  32 A and  32 C, respectively, of the sole portions  24 A and  24 C, respectively, to form a bi-component sole with portions of the spikes interposed between the confronting layers. In particular, the outsole sections  402 A and  402 B each include a plurality of openings  406  ( FIG. 7A ) to receive and retain respective spikes  404  therein. The openings  406  are spaced longitudinally and transversely with respect to one another across the length and width of the associated outsole section. Each spike  404  basically comprises an elongated linear body  404 A having a lower free end  404 B and an upper cap or head  404 C. The cap or head is substantially larger in area than the cross-sectional area of the body  404 A. Since each opening  406  is arranged to receive and retain a respective spike  404  therein, the shape of each opening  406  corresponds to the shape of the spike. Thus, each opening includes a central bore section  406 A extending perpendicularly to the bottom or ground-engaging surface of the outsole and terminating at that surface. The inner diameter of the bore section  406 A is approximately the same as the body  404 A of the spike. The upper end of each opening  406  is in the form of a substantially larger area mouth  406 B that in communication with the bore  406 A. The inner diameter of the mouth  406 A is approximately the same as the head  404 C of the spike  404 .  
      To assemble the overshoe  400 , a the spikes  404  are located in respective openings  406  of the outsole sections  402 A and  402 B so that spike heads  404 C are within respective opening mouths  406 B, and with respective spike bodies  404 A extending through respective bores  406 A. The top surface of each of the heads of the spikes are coplanar with the top surface of their associate outsole sections  402 A or  402 B and with surfaces  32 A and  32 C.  
      Once the spikes and their respective outsoles are assembled, the outsole section  402 A is then fixedly secured, e.g., glued, welded, sewn, etc., to the undersurface  32 A of the sole portion  24 A of the overshoe  400 . In a similar manner the outsole section  402 B fixedly secured, e.g., glued, welded, sewn, etc. to the undersurface  32 B of the sole portion  24 C of the overshoe.  
      It should be pointed out at this juncture that openings  406  in the outsole sections  402 A and  402 B need not be shaped to include mouth portions  406 B for receipt of the spike heads  404 C. Instead, each of the openings  406  can be in the form of a constant internal diameter bore  406 A extending the full thickness of the outsole section in which it is located. Moreover, the top surface of that outsole section will be planar. In such an arrangement the head or cap  404 C of the spike will overlie the contiguous top surface of the outsole section surrounding the bore  406 A. The natural resiliency of the material making up the outsole section  404 A and the material making up the sole portion  24 A will compress slightly to accommodate the spike heads at the interface of the sections  404 A and  24 A when those sections are adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured together. In a similar manner the natural resiliency of the material making up the outsole section  404 B and the material making up the sole portion  24 B will compress slightly to accommodate the spike heads at the interface of the sections  404 B and  24 B when those sections are adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured together. This alternative construction is less expensive to produce, since it does not require the formation of specially shaped openings, i.e., openings with recesses to accommodate the heads of the spikes.  
      As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the outsole sections with their associated spikes are secured in place to their respective portions  24 A and  24 C of the overshoe, each forms what can be referred to as a bi-component sole, i.e., a sole made up of two layers, namely, the layer  24 A and  24 C and the outsole portion  402 A and  402 C, respectively, secured thereto. The interposition of the enlarged heads  404 C of each of the spikes at the interface of the layers making up the bi-component sole effectively traps the associate spikes in place, thereby preventing them from accidentally coming out of the overshoe.  
      It should be pointed out at this juncture that the lower free end  408 B of each or selected ones of the spikes  408  of the overshoe may extend beyond the ground engaging surface of the outsole, such as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7 A, or may be flush with that surface or may be slightly retracted from that surface, i.e., recessed slightly in the associated bore  406 A, depending upon the application/usage for the overshoe. In any case since the outsole is formed of a resilient material, the free end  404 B of each spike  404 , whether retracted, flush or extended, is arranged to be exposed at the ground-engaging bottom surface of the overshoe when the person stands or walks with the overshoe on his/her primary footwear. The amount of exposure of the free end  404 B depends upon the durometer of the material making up the outsole and the amount that the free end is positioned with respect to the ground engaging surface.  
      It should also be pointed out that the spikes  404  can be located in different positions on the overshoe  400  and at different spacings. Thus, as can be seen in  FIG. 7  some spikes of the outsole section  402 A are located close to each other in pairs, while other individual spikes are located somewhat remote from the pairs of spikes. The spikes in the outsole section  402  are not paired and are spaced approximately equidistantly from each other. This is merely exemplary of a myriad of arrangements for the spikes. Moreover, the outer or ground engaging surface of either of the outsole sections needn&#39;t be flat, like the outsole section  402 B, but may include other surface features, e.g., grooves, etc., like the outsole section  402 A. In this regard, as can be seen plural grooves  410  are located in the ground engaging surface of the outsole section  402 A.  
      In  FIG. 8  there is shown still another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  500  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  500  is similar in construction to the embodiment  400  shown in  FIG. 7 , except for the construction of the spikes and the outsole accommodating the spikes. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  500  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  400 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The overshoe  500  includes outsole sections  502 A and  502 B, each of which has located therein an assembly of plural spikes therein. In particular, the outsole section  502 A includes an assembly  504 A of plural spikes located within a cavity and associated apertures (to be discussed hereinafter), while the outsole section  502 B includes an assembly  504 B of plural spikes located within a cavity and associated apertures (also to be discussed hereinafter). To that end, the assembly  504 A basically comprises a generally planar common base member  506  ( FIG. 8A ) and a plurality of projections  508  extending outward from the base member. The assembly  504 A is preferably an integral unit constructed of any suitable material or combinations of materials, e.g., tungsten carbide, titanium, stainless steel, hard plastics, etc., depending upon the application for the overshoe. As best seen in  FIG. 8A  each of the projections has an elongated body terminating at a free end  510 . Each body forms a respective spike. The upper end of each elongated body  508  is joined to the undersurface of the common base member  506  so that they project downward therefrom. Thus, the assembly  504 A can be thought of as a common base member from which plural spikes project downward. The inner surface of the outsole section  502 A includes a cavity  512  which is shaped and sized to accommodate the common base member  506  of the assembly  504 A and so that the upper surface of the common base member  506  is flush with the surface  32 A. The outsole section  502 A also includes plural apertures  514  open to the ground engaging bottom surface of the outsole and also in communication with the cavity  512 . The apertures  514  are spaced longitudinally and transversely with respect to one another across the length and width of the associated outsole section, with the size and spacing between the apertures  514  being the same as the size and spacing between the spikes  508 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8  the size and spacing of the spikes  508  of the outsole section  502 A is the same as the embodiment  400  of  FIG. 7 , e.g., some of the spikes are paired and some not.  
      The assembly  504 B is similar in construction to assembly  504 A and basically comprises a generally planar common base member  506  and a plurality of projections  508  extending outward from the base member. The inner surface of the outsole section  502 B also includes a cavity which is shaped and sized to accommodate the common base member of the assembly  504 B. Moreover, the outsole section  502 B also includes plural apertures open to the ground engaging bottom surface of the outsole and also in communication with the cavity therein. The apertures in the outsole  502 B are spaced longitudinally and transversely with respect to one another across the length and width of the associated outsole section similarly to the spacing of the spikes in the embodiment  400  of  FIG. 7 , e.g., some of the spikes are not paired and are equidistantly spaced from one another.  
      To assemble the overshoe  500 , the assembly  504 A is placed into the outsole section  502 A so that the common base member  506  is within the cavity  512  and the individual spikes  508  extend through respective apertures  514 . Thus, all the spikes for the outsole section  502 A can be placed in position within the outsole in a single operation at one time, thereby expediting the assembly process for the overshoe. In a similar manner, the assembly  504 B is placed into the outsole section  502 B so that the common base member of that is within its cavity and the individual spikes  508  extend through the respective apertures in that outsole section.  
      Once the spike assemblies and their respective outsoles are assembled, the outsole sections  502 A and  502 B can then be fixedly secured, e.g., glued, welded, sewn, etc., to the undersurfaces  32 A and  32 B, respectively, of the sole portion of overshoe  500  in the same manner as described above with reference to overshoe  400 .  
      It should be pointed out at this juncture that the outsole sections  502 A and  502 B need not be shaped to include respective cavities  512  for receipt of the common base member  506  of the spikes. Instead, each of the openings through which the respective spikes extend can be in the form of a constant internal diameter aperture  514  extending the full thickness of the outsole section in which it is located. Moreover, the top surface of that outsole section will be planar. In such an arrangement the common base member  506  will overlie the contiguous top surface of the outsole section surrounding the apertures  514 . The natural resiliency of the material making up the outsole section  504 A and the material making up the sole portion  24 A will compress slightly to accommodate the common base member  506  at the interface of the sections  504 A and  24 A when those sections are adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured together. In a similar manner the natural resiliency of the material making up the outsole section  504 B and the material making up the sole portion  24 B will compress slightly to accommodate the common base member  506  at the interface of the sections  504 B and  24 B when those sections are adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured together. This alternative construction is less expensive to produce, since it does not require the formation of the common specially shaped cavity from which the apertures extend.  
      As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the outsole sections with their associated spikes are secured in place to the remainder of the overshoe, the interposition of the common base member at the interface between the outsole and the remainder of the overshoe effectively traps the associate spikes in place, thereby preventing them from accidentally coming out of the overshoe.  
      In  FIG. 9  there is shown another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  600  constructed in accordance with this invention. The overshoe  600  is of the “full sole, sling-type” construction. In particular, it is preferably molded as a one-piece unit of a stretchable material, e.g., rubber or any of the materials that can be used to fabricate the overshoes  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  and  500 . The overshoe  500  includes a sole portion  602  extending under the toe, forefoot, arch and heel regions of the primary footwear. These regions are denoted by the reference numbers  602 A,  602 B,  602 C and  602 D. A pair of toe straps  604  extend upward from respective sides of the sole portion at the toe region  602 A and merge together with a cross strap  606 . The cross strap  606  extends transversely across the overshoe and is connected to the respective point on each side of the sole where the forefoot region  602 B merges with the arch region  602 C. The straps  604  and  606  thus effectively form a toe box for the overshoe  600 . The toe box constructed of the intersecting straps enables it to be stretched rather easily to accommodate the toe of the primary footwear  10 . If desired, the toe box needn&#39;t be constructed of the intersecting straps, but could rather be a solid wall extending upward from the front tip of the overshoe to the point at which the forefoot region merges with the arch region.  
      The rear or heel portion of the overshoe  600  includes an upstanding wall  608 . The wall has a pair of openings  610  on either side of the central longitudinal axis of the overshoe. The wall  608  forms the heel counter of the overshoe. The openings  610  are provided in the interest of weight reduction and to facilitate stretchability of the heel counter to facilitate the mounting of the overshoe on the primary footwear. To expedite that action, the heel counter may also include a pair of pull straps  612  located above the locations of the openings  610 . In the embodiment shown the central portion of the arch region is open at  614 . This opening facilitates the stretching of the overshoe longitudinally to enable it to be readily mounted on the primary footwear. While not shown in  FIG. 9 , the sole may or may not include spikes. If spikes are included the sole portion of the footwear may be constructed like the bi-component soles of the embodiments  400  and  500  of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , respectively. The underside or ground engaging portion of the overshoe  600  may include other features, e.g., ridges, bumps, grooves, etc., as desired.  
      In the interests of wearing comfort and shock absorption the overshoe  600  also includes support means  34 , like that described above. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  600  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  20 ,  100 ,  200  and  300 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated.  
      It should be pointed out at this juncture that the sole with support means constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention need not be confined to usage with overshoes that are formed of a resilient (e.g., molded) material uppers. Moreover, the bi-component, spike-bearing soles constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention need not be confined to usage with overshoes that include such uppers. Further still, soles having both the support means feature of this invention and the bi-component, spike-bearing feature of this invention need not be confined to usage with overshoes that include a resilient or molded material upper.  
      For example, in  FIG. 10  there is shown another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  700  constructed in accordance with this invention. That overshoe is similar in construction to the overshoe  200  of  FIG. 5 , except that its upper is formed of a fabric, e.g., nylon, polyester, etc. and the sole is a one-piece unitary molded member. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  700  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  200 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The upper of overshoe  700  is designated by the reference number  702  and basically consists of a sidewall  704  extending around and upstanding from the periphery of the sole portion  24  (which as mentioned above is a one-piece unitary molded member). The sidewall includes a lower edge that is bent inward to form a flange  706 . The flange extends slightly over the top surface  30  of the one-piece sole portion  24  contiguous with the periphery of the sole portion and is fixedly secured thereat by any suitable means, e.g., an adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof. The upper edge  706  of the sidewall  702  forms the opening  708  through which the primary footwear  10  is inserted. If desired the opening  708  may be elasticized by any suitable means (not shown), e.g., threads or bands of Lycra® or some other stretchable material may be secured to the top edge  706 .  
      In  FIG. 11  there is shown still another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  800  constructed in accordance with this invention. That overshoe is similar in construction to the overshoes  10  and  700  of  FIGS. 1 and 10 , except that its upper is formed as a booty or sock-like member of any suitable fabric, e.g., nylon, polyester, etc. and its ground engaging surface is flat, e.g., without intersecting grooves  204 . As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  800  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoes  10  and  700 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The upper of overshoe  800  is designated by the reference number  802  and basically consists of a booty or sock-like body formed of any suitable fabric, e.g., nylon, polyester, etc. The body  802  includes a bottom wall  804  and a sidewall  806  extending around and upstanding from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall  804  is disposed over the upper surface  30  of the sole portion of the overshoe  800  and is fixedly secured thereat by any suitable means, e.g., an adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof, so that it conforms to the contour of the top surface of the sole portion  24  and the support means  34 , e.g., the ridges  34 A,  34 B and  34 C. Thus, in this embodiment the support means  34 , e.g., the ridges, do not physically extend into the hollow interior of the upper, since the conforming bottom wall  804  of the upper is interposed therebetween. Nevertheless the inner surface of the upper  802  will have the contour corresponding to the contour of the top surface of the sole portion  24  and thereby provide the same cushioning and shock absorption features as the overshoe  10 .  
      Like the overshoe  700  shown in  FIG. 10 , the upper edge of the sidewall  806  forms the opening  808  through which the primary footwear is inserted. If desired the opening  808  may be elasticized, as discussed above.  
      In  FIG. 12  there is shown yet another alternative embodiment of an overshoe  900  constructed in accordance with this invention. That overshoe is similar in construction to the overshoe  800  of  FIG. 12 , except that the bottom wall of its upper includes plural openings therein through which the ridges forming the support means  34  extend. As before, in the interest of brevity the common components and features of the overshoe  900  will be given the same reference numbers as those components/features of overshoe  800 . Moreover, the structure and operation of the common components/features will not be reiterated. The upper of overshoe  900  is designated by the reference number  902  and basically consists of a booty or sock-like body formed of any suitable fabric, e.g., nylon, polyester, etc. The body  902  includes a bottom wall  904  and a sidewall  906  extending around and upstanding from the periphery of the bottom wall  904 . The bottom wall  804  includes plural openings  908  which are shaped and located so that the upper portions of the ridges  34 A,  34 B and  34 C extend slightly therethrough. The bottom wall  904  is disposed over the upper surface of the sole portion  24  of the overshoe  800  and is fixedly secured thereat by any suitable means, e.g., an adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof, so that it conforms to the contour of the top surface of the sole portion with portions of the support means  34 , e.g., the ridges  34 A,  34 B and  34 C, extending through the holes  908 . Thus, in this embodiment portions the support means  34 , e.g., the ridges, do physically extend into the hollow interior  26  of the upper. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the openings  908  may be sized and shaped to enable the entire area of the ridges  34 A,  34 B and  34 C to extend therethrough. Thus, the sole portion of the overshoe  800  will provide the same cushioning and shock absorption features as the overshoes  10  and  800 .  
      Like the overshoe  800  shown in  FIG. 11 , the upper edge of the sidewall  906  forms the opening  908  through which the primary footwear is inserted. If desired the opening  908  may be elasticized as discussed above.  
      While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.