Patent Publication Number: US-2010107440-A1

Title: Women&#39;s shoe cover

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to covering women&#39;s shoe apparel fashionably. By expanding three separate models of shoe covers that protects, covers, as well as improves the shoe apparels longevity from year-round inclement weather conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to an expanding shoe cover that securely covers various shapes and sizes of shoe apparel while stylistically protecting the wearer&#39;s feet and footwear. 
     The most compelling purpose of this invention is to protect the high replacement cost of women&#39;s shoe apparel by fashionably covering and tightly encasing women&#39;s footwear from environmental and inclement weather, thus increasing the longevity and cleanliness of women&#39;s shoe apparel. Due to the high cost of replacing fashion and casual footwear, three separate yet distinctly stylish designs were created because of weather and footwear style variations. 
     Women throughout the United States and internationally have been literally ignored in regards to their footwear protection, thus creating the basis for this invention. Women purchase 48.8% of all total footwear sold annually within the United States. They therefore represent the largest demographic of footwear sales, and subsequently spend the highest gross amount of money than any other demographic within the footwear industry. 
     Statistically, over eighty percent of American women own at least one pair of high heeled shoes. The non-business or professional women who own these shoes do so mostly out of necessity as opposed to comfort. However, irregardless of their reason, women purchase this style of footwear because of formal occasions that arise from their everyday lives such as weddings, holiday events, religious, funerals, graduations, or just to look nice when dining out and so on. But when the weather becomes a challenge, be it from rain, sleet or snow, many of the aforementioned occasions cannot be postponed because of uncooperative weather conditions. Therefore, what are women supposed to do to protect their footwear from environmental weather conditions when confronted with this dilemma? 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method for functionally covering and tightly encasing the footwear for various shapes, sizes, and seasons is provided. In models one, two and three were all manufactured with an elastic rubber-like material that is pliable for shoe cover elasticity, and utilizing a compliant material that allows for multiple colors and translucence. Although the three separate models vary, they have a sole, a toe portion, an upper portion with an inside portion, and exterior portions adjoined with the heel portion for one continuous integral unit. 
     The invention of the three separate shoe cover models can functionally secure and safely encase footwear of various shapes and sizes. To where all footwear placed securely within shoe cover models one, two and three shall not slip out of or loosen from all three previously mentioned shoe covers unless specifically taken off by the wearer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 101  illustrates an actual rendering of model one as referenced in claim number  15  of a top frontal view as rendered in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 102  illustrates an opposite side view of the embodiment of model one. 
         FIG. 103  illustrates a bottom view rendering of the embodiment of model one. 
         FIG. 201  illustrates an actual rendering of model two as referenced in claim number  22  of a top-side frontal view rendering as shown in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 202  illustrates a side view rendering with high heeled shoe apparel shown within the embodiment of model two. 
         FIG. 203  illustrates a rear view rendering of the embodiment of model two. 
         FIG. 301  illustrates an actual rendering of model three as referenced in claim number  30  of a top frontal view as shown in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 302  illustrates a side view rendering with casual shoe apparel shown within the embodiment of model three. 
         FIG. 303  illustrates a rear view rendering of the embodiment of model three. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     A novel method of three separate, yet distinct models of functionally covering and encasing various shapes and sizes of women&#39;s shoe apparel is provided. 
     Due to the three separate women&#39;s shoe cover models which represent an assortment of covering different shapes, styles and sizes of shoe apparel, such as high-heel fashioned footwear, or athletic-tennis shoes, sandals, boots, bare feet and socks encased within the aforementioned footwear, which vary dramatically due to the distinction of the separate models herein. The present invention of models one, two, and three, which provide a tight, snug fit that are safely secured and functional when the footwear is correctly placed within the shoe cover. Moreover, models one, two, and three are manufactured with silicone rubber compound that allows for superior elasticity. 
     The distinctions of all three models will be compared solely with one another, as there were no known comparisons discovered. Therefore, set forth below are the detailed descriptions, followed by the attachment drawings. 
       FIG. 101  is a top frontal and side view of one embodiment of the present invention, model one, the summer-warm weather high heeled (only) shoe cover. This design specifically allows for the feet of the wearer to breathe and be left open to air under heat and humidity which are ever-present during hot and warm weather. Moreover, while protecting the most environmentally exposed portion of the high-heel footwear by encasing the front sole and toe portion along with the top and side portions from rain and standing water. Also illustrated is the open area where the expanded strap encircles the back sides and heel portion of the footwear, creating elasticity for many differing lengths of shoe apparel as well as a secure and easily accessible shoe cover in one integral unit. This view also highlights the thinness of the overall measurements previously disclosed. 
       FIG. 102  is a side view of the shoe cover in  FIG. 101 . As model one indicates from the simplicity and skill of its design, illustrates that the shoe cover is very fashionable from its sleek and aerodynamic appearance, along with the compliance of the material silicone rubber compound, increases the elasticity of the shoe cover material by affording it to stretch in a horizontal and vertical direction simultaneously by creating an elongated shape thus conforming the shoe cover to the original shape of the inserted footwear. Moreover, the design also has one solitary shape for fitting purposes for the left and right feet of the shoe cover wearer, allowing for easy fitting by having identical shapes known as uni-shaped. This side view further illustrates the natural rise of standard high heeled footwear, to where the back sides and heel portion raise upward as only the front sole and the heel bottom of the footwear ever touch the surface of the ground. 
       FIG. 103  is a rear 3-D view of the shoe cover in  FIG. 101 . This is an enlarged design of model one to establish its rear view of the footwear entry-way and the back of the elastic-like strap covering the heel of the shoe cover. This design also illustrates the front sole portion to where four arrow-shaped protruding gripped attachments make contact with the surface of the ground for an anti-slipping device. The enlarged model further illustrates the capability to fit extra large or unusual styles of footwear with a shoe cover that can conform with any shape, size or style of footwear manufactured by using the compliant material of silicone rubber compound to tightly encase and protect such front portions of summer or warm weather footwear up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 
       FIG. 201  is a top frontal and side view of the one embodiment of the present invention, model two, the winter-cold weather high heeled (only) shoe cover. This design specifically illustrates that the footwear and the feet of the wearer be encased and covered completely (except for open heel portion) to the ankle area, allowing for absolute warmth and dryness of the footwear and feet of the wearer, also for the longevity and inclement weather protection thereby protecting the high replacement cost of shoe apparel. This designs sleek and aerodynamic appearance is very fashionable as indicated from the simplicity and skill of its design, along with its compliant material of silicone rubber compound, that increases the elasticity of the shoe cover material by affording it to stretch in a horizontal and vertical direction simultaneously by creating an elongated shape, thus conforming the shoe cover to the original shape of the inserted footwear. This view also illustrates the side-slide zipper design, which is located at the outside mid-rear portion of the shoe cover. 
       FIG. 202  is an open side view with high heeled shoe apparel shown within the shoe cover of  FIG. 201 . This rendering illustrates the designs total encasement of the footwear and the feet of the wearer up to the ankle area. Also illustrated is the perforated protruding open heel portion located at the rear bottom of the design thereby allowing the heel bottom of the footwear to be the only portion of the shoe apparel to touch the surface of the ground. This design also illustrates the sole and exterior side portions at ⅛ inch thickness, the side-slide zipper 3½ inches long, ⅛ thick, and ¼ inch wide, with the perforated hole dimensions varying in different sizes. 
       FIG. 203  is a rear view of the shoe cover in  FIG. 201 . The rear view of the design illustrates again the rear perforated open heel portion to keep snow or other environmental debris from entering the footwear and the feet of the wearer. The top rear protruding pull tab was designed to help with gripping the back end of the shoe cover by helping the wearer place the footwear more easily into the shoe cover. This pull tab design is also illustrated in  FIG. 202  at the top rear of the rendering. Model two also contains four arrow-shaped protruding gripped attachment evenly spaced ½ inch apart, while protruding 1/16 inch downward to the surface of the ground for an anti-slipping device. Furthermore, when comparing  FIG. 201 , model two, with  FIG. 101 , model one, they both share many of the same qualities such as their fashionable appearance, the same compliant material, silicone rubber compound, that allows them to stretch in a horizontal and vertical direction simultaneously for an elongated shape thus allowing the shoe covers to conform to the original shape of the shoe apparel. However, when comparing the time of seasons of the year with  FIG. 201  and  FIG. 101 , they are distinctly different designs. To where  FIG. 101  is open so the foot and ankle can breathe due to the hot weather and humidity. Where  FIG. 201  is enclosed completely to protect the footwear and the feet of the wearer from cold and winter weather conditions. In conclusion, both  FIG. 201 , model two, and  FIG. 101 , model one, are both safe and secure when worn correctly and are both fashionable. Finally, both aforementioned models do precisely as the invention claims, they both protect the high replacement cost of women&#39;s shoe apparel by fashionably covering and tightly encasing women&#39;s high heeled shoe apparel from environmental and inclement weather, thus increasing the longevity and cleanliness of this footwear. 
       FIG. 301  is a top frontal and side view of one embodiment of the present invention, model three, a women&#39;s casual low-heeled or no-heeled shoe apparel for year-round. This design covers and encases varying styles of footwear, from casual low heeled, athletic-tennis shoe, sandals, boots, socks, and bare feet. This present invention shall provide a tight snug fit that are safely secured and functional when the footwear is correctly placed within the shoe cover. Unlike  FIG. 101 , model one, and  FIG. 201 , model two, this design does not fit high heeled shoe apparel in any way. However, this design is made with the aforementioned FIG.&#39;s and models same compliant material, silicone rubber compound, that increases the elasticity of the shoe cover material by affording it to stretch in a horizontal and vertical direction simultaneously by creating an elongated shape thus conforming the shoe cover to the original shape of the inserted footwear. Also illustrated is the entrance to the shoe cover, from below the tongue down to the toe area. 
       FIG. 302  is an open side view with casual low-heeled shoe apparel shown within the shoe cover of  FIG. 301 . This rendering illustrates the designs total encasement of the footwear and the feet of the wearer below the ankle area. Also illustrated in this rendering of the design, is how low-heeled footwear fits inside the shoe cover as the sole is compliant enough to mold itself around the heel bottom. This design also allows the style of non-metallic slide zipper that is used in  FIG. 201 , model two. Moreover, the entry way as previously stated in  FIG. 301 , is located on the top of the shoe cover and runs from behind the toe portion up through the tongue portion. Furthermore, this silicone rubber compound material protects the footwear and the feet of the wearer year-round, as the melting point for hot weather is 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a freezing point for extreme cold weather of over minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit, which speaks for itself in regards to durability and weather protection as this model is also waterproof. 
       FIG. 303  is a rear view of the shoe cover in  FIG. 301 . This design also has a pull tab that is located on the top rear portion of the shoe cover, to assist the wearer when the footwear is inserted into the shoe cover. This design is the thickest of all designs to where the sole is ¼ inch thick, with the exterior and side portions at 3/16 inch, with the rear-back heel portion being at 3/16 inch, the slide zipper being 4 inches long, ⅛ inch thick, and ¼ inch wide. This design also contains eight arrow-shaped protruding gripped attachment evenly spaced ½ inch apart, while protruding 1/16 inch downward to the surface of the ground for an anti-slipping device. In closing model three of  FIG. 301 , is a very durable and sturdy year-round shoe cover. This specific design is capable of fitting almost any style of footwear manufactured. Extra large models are also available for wide bodied or gigantic styles of footwear that are presently manufactured. Or a wearer can use a pair of these shoe covers to wear in their socks or bare feet.