Patent Publication Number: US-2015059216-A1

Title: Novelty golf overshoe

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/872,808, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to golf accessories and in particular to a novelty golf overshoe. Golfers frequently achieve a level of camaraderie with their fellow golfers, so that jokes and gag gifts are appropriate. Also, the family members and friends of avid golfers are sometimes challenged trying to find an appropriate, inexpensive gift for the golfer. An inside joke in the game of golf about using a “foot wedge” provides an opportunity for such a gift. A novelty golf overshoe, featuring a golf club surface on the side of the overshoe that enables the golfer to strike the golf ball with the overshoe, provides the amusing gift that is desired. The golf club surface is shaped with a silhouette that is shaped like the toes of the human foot. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the invention is directed to a novelty golf overshoe. A golf club surface is affixed to the side of the overshoe that enables the golfer to strike the golf ball with the overshoe. The golf club surface is shaped with a silhouette like the toes of the human foot. The overshoe is either clipped onto the shoe or stretched over the shoe to ensure optimal fit during wear. The user may use the overshoe&#39;s attached club face to strike a golf ball. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate two embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the front section  10 , the rear section  11 , the front clip  12 , the rear clip  13 , and the golf club surface  15 . 
         FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the front portion  14 , the golf club surface  15 , the rear portion  16 , and the central portion  17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a novelty golf overshoe, featuring a golf club surface  15  on the side of the overshoe that enables the golfer to strike the golf ball with the overshoe. The golf club surface  15  features a silhouette that is in the shape of the toes of the human foot. The shape is specifically intended to resemble a human foot so as to channel the longstanding joke among golfers of the “foot wedge,” that is, striking the golf ball with one&#39;s shoe. 
     The first exemplary embodiment consists of two sections: the front section  10 , and the rear section  11 . The front section  10  is shaped and decorated to externally resemble a golf shoe and to be internally compatible with sliding over the toe of a golf shoe. The rear section  11  is shaped with a heel surround so as to compatibly fit over the heel of a golf shoe. The front section  10  has a golf club surface  15  affixed thereto at the side of the front section  10  forward of the instep. The front and rear sections are releasably joined by a mutually compatible front clip  12  and back clip  13 . The front clip  12  is affixed to the rearward edge  13  of the front section  10  and the rear clip  13  is affixed to the forward edge of the rear section  11 . When the front clip  12  is affixed to the rear clip  13 , the overshoe will be held into place over the user&#39;s golf shoe. The overshoe will be in continued use until the user disengages the front clip  12  and the rear clip  13  and removes the front section  10  from the golf shoe. 
     The second exemplary embodiment of the device is a single piece stretch overshoe. A forward portion  14  has affixed thereto along the forward instep a golf club surface  15 . The front section  14  is joined to the rear section  16  via a central section  17 ; the front section  14 , the central section  17 , and the rear section  16  are all of a conforming and elastic material such that the second exemplary embodiment will firmly hug to the toe and heel of the user&#39;s golf shoe while still being easily removable by stretching or deformation. For both exemplary embodiments, the golf club surface  15  may be used to strike a golf ball in the same manner as a wedge style golf club. Both embodiments are provided in a full range of sizes for both men and women. 
     To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user affixes the rear section  11  to the heel of the golf shoe. The user then affixes the front surface  10  to the toe of the golf shoe, and joins the front clip  12  to the rear clip  13 . Finally, the user may strike a golf ball by swinging the foot laterally in the direction of the golf ball, until the golf club surface  15  strikes the golf ball. 
     To use the second exemplary embodiment, the user affixes the stretch overshoe to the toe of the golf shoe. The user then stretches the stretch overshoe so that it will fit over the heel of the golf shoe. Finally, the user may strike a golf ball by swinging the foot laterally in the direction of the golf ball, until the golf club surface  15  strikes the golf ball. 
     The front section  10 , rear section  11 , and stretch overshoe are preferably manufactured from flexible, durable such as rubber and silicone. The front clip  12 , rear clip  13 , and golf club surface  15  are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as aluminum and steel. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention. 
     Further embodiments in addition to the foregoing are contemplated. Specifically, an embodiment in which the club surfaced  15  is shaped not with the outline of a foot, but in the traditional shape of a golf club is contemplated. An embodiment in which the stretch overshoe  14  is expanded into a complete shoe that may be worn alone with the club surface  15  permanently attached is contemplated. An additional embodiment wherein the stretch overshoe is a relatively inflexible and takes the form of a foot slide style sandal capable of accepting a standard golf shoe is also contemplated. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.