Abstract:
A functional athletic shoe cover that allows for optimizing the shoe for a specific athletic, sport, or daily routine use. The shoe cover covers the mid and lower portions of the shoe, and holds devices such as cleats, studs, spikes or tread patterns in place. The cover is arranged such that the devices are removable and interchangeable, thus avoiding the expense of owning separate shoes for various sports or for different field conditions.

Description:
[0001]    Many people will participate in sports at sometime during their lives. Many of these sports require specially designed and expensive shoes. A family may not be able to afford such the expense of dedicated sporting shoes, and can only afford a pair of all-purpose footwear. But using everyday shoes to play sports presents a number of problems. Everyday shoes are of course not meant to be worn for sporting events and will easily wear and tear from usage. In addition, playing sports in such shoes heightens the possibility of injury to the player. 
         [0002]    Shoes are generally designed for one specific activity, and are suboptimal for use outside of their intended usage design. In addition, existing shoes cannot be easily converted for use in multiple types of sports and activities. There is no known product which easily converts an everyday shoe or athletic shoe into a functional athletic shoe that is customized for use in multiple particular sports and activities. 
         [0003]    Thus what is needed is an economical under-shoe attachment that converts an everyday shoe into an instant functional athletic shoe for the specific sport needed at the time. In particular, an attachment is needed which allows for the interchangeability of traction features. The needed shoe attachment also protects the sole and lower portions of the shoe from wear and tear encountered during the sporting activity. This attachment would not only be functional, but could also be designed as an ornamental under-shoe protector to protect normal everyday shoes from wear. 
         [0004]    The present invention addresses the needs of the prior art. A flexible and resilient shoe cover is disposed to be worn over the lower parts of an athletic shoe, covering and protecting essentially the entirety of the sole and mid-lower portions of the shoe. The shoe cover also incorporates traction elements which extend from the bottom external surface of the shoe cover. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe cover includes at least one inner sole to which the traction elements are affixed. The inner sole is held in place to the sole of the athletic shoe by a flexible and resilient outer sole that is stretched over the shoe. The shoe cover thereby converts the shoe for a specific athletic use. 
         [0005]    In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, an athletic shoe cover  100  for covering the sole of an athletic shoe is described. The shoe cover has a customizable sole comprising an inner sole plate  120  disposed to reside in contact with the sole of the athletic shoe, at least one fraction element  130  disposed on and extending from a surface of the inner sole plate opposite the sole of the athletic shoe, and a flexible resilient outer sole  140  having an internal surface  142  and an external surface  144 . At least one aperture  150  extends through the outer sole. The outer sole is disposed to retain the inner sole plate securely in contact with the sole of the athletic shoe, wherein each traction element extends through a corresponding aperture and away from the outer surface of the outer sole. The traction elements may be mechanically replaceable on corresponding attachment points at the inner sole, or may be permanently affixed such that the inner sole itself may be replaced to customize the athletic shoe. 
         [0006]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, an athletic shoe cover is described for covering the sole of an athletic shoe. The shoe cover comprises a sole toe portion constructed of a relatively stiff polymeric material, a sole heel portion constructed of the relatively stiff polymeric material, and an upper sleeve portion constructed of a resilient and flexible polymeric material operable to stretch around the lower portions of the athletic shoe to hold the sole toe portion and sole heel portion to corresponding sole portions of the athletic shoe. A plurality of traction elements is attached to the sole heel portion and the sole toe portion. The traction elements may be removable or permanently affixed to the heel and toe portions. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for customizing an athletic shoe having a sole, a toe, and a heel for a particular sport is described, comprising the steps of selecting one of a plurality of types of traction elements, attaching each selected traction element to an inner sole plate, placing the inner sole plate against an inner surface of a flexible resilient outer sleeve, and stretching the outer sleeve around a lower periphery of an athletic shoe such that each traction element is held securely against and extending away from the sole of the athletic shoe. The traction elements may optionally be attached after the placing and stretching steps. 
         [0008]    The inventions as described fulfill the objective of conveniently converting everyday shoes to be used for multiple uses. The user thus avoids unnecessary expense while optimizing the footwear to the intended purpose. The invention also may include features that allow the shoe to be easily identified by the owner, such as distinctive colors or styles. The outer sole may also include areas to which ornamental features are applied. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a detachable shoe mold invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the invention, illustrating one embodiment of cleat attachments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates cleat styles according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an optional attachment to the detachable shoe mold invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the invention as attached to a shoe. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the shoe mold invention as manufactured. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the shoe mold, including ornamental features, as attached to a shoe. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show respectively a side view of another embodiment of the athletic shoe cover as applied to an athletic shoe as well as separate from the shoe. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8   c ,  8   d ,  8   e , and  8   f  show an exploded side view of the elements of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the athletic shoe cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of an outer sole portion of the athletic shoe cover. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate a top view of an inner sole plate portion of the athletic shoe cover. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate a bottom view of the athletic shoe cover, both without cleats attached and with cleats attached. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the athletic shoe cover. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a stylized illustration of the athletic shoe cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Now turning to the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a detachable sole cover for a shoe (not shown in this view), which comprises a lower shoe mold. The detachable sole cover is comprised of a toe portion  1  and a toe cap  2 . Toe cap  2  may further comprise ornamental features. A heel grip  4  holds the detachable sole cover firmly to the shoe, and is designed with a gripping surface for easy attachment and removal. The lower shoe mold also includes attachment locations for cleats  3 . The cleats  3  are preferably designed for use in a specific sport. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the invention, illustrating one embodiment of cleat attachments. A lower surface  6  has a plurality of attachment points  5  for cleats  3 . The arrangement of the attachment points  5  can of course be varied within the scope of the invention. The lower surface is preferably constructed of a durable and somewhat flexible material which resists tearing of the attachment points  5  from lower surface  6  during wear. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a two possible cleat styles according to one embodiment of the invention. The rounded cleat style on the left is common to field sports such as football or soccer. The square cleat style on the right might be used in baseball. It is easily seen that the user need only keep sets of cleats available for the various sports, or for the various expected field conditions, instead of separate shoes for each. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates an optional attachment  7  that can be attached to the cleat of the detachable sole cover. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates the combination  9  of the detachable sole cover joined to a shoe. It can be seen that the detachable sole cover is stretched or clipped to the shoe prior to use. The sole cover then functions as the contact surface between the user&#39;s foot and the playing surface. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates a view of another embodiment of the detachable sole cover. The sole cover  10  is preferably molded from a resilient rubber or plastic material with attachment points for the desired cleats. In an alternate embodiment, the sole cover and cleats can be formed together such that the cleats cannot be changed out. In this alternate embodiment, the user exchanges the entire detachable sole cover according to the intended use. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a detachable sole cover  11 , as applied to an athletic shoe. As can be seen, the sole cover  11  may include ornamental designs particular to the sport, to the shoe, or to the manufacturer of the cover  11 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8   a  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an athletic shoe cover  100  as worn with an existing athletic shoe  110 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8   b  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the athletic shoe cover  100  with its primary external features identified. The external outer sole portion of the athletic shoe cover  100  may be constructed of any number of flexible, resilient and durable materials, such as rubber, silicone, stretch fabrics, or polymeric material. Preferably, the material resists tearing and scuffing as well. A front toe cap  152  is of a cupped shaped area to comfortably and securely fit over the toe of the athletic shoe  110 , and serves to hold the front portion  153  of the athletic shoe cover in place. The sole mid portion  114  of is preferably constructed of a highly flexible and durable rubber. Mid portion  114  may be of thicker than the other portions if needed to resist wear during use. A lower heal area  139  of athletic shoe cover  100  is preferably of a resilient durable rubber. A heel tab  138  may be disposed atop the lower heal area  139  in order to assist the user in donning the cover. The entire external outer sole portion may be molded in a single piece to reduce manufacturing costs. 
         [0033]    Also shown in  FIG. 8   b  are traction elements  132 . As shown here, traction elements  132  are metal cleats attached to the bottom of athletic shoe cover  100 . Traction elements  132  may also be of a different shape or material (plastic or hard rubber) for optimized use in other sports. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8   c  through  8   f  illustrate an exploded side view of the preferred embodiment of athletic shoe cover  100 . Outer sole  140  is shown in  FIG. 8   c , preferably molded in one piece of a resilient and flexible material. Outer sole  140  contains an internal surface disposed to reside in contact with athletic shoe  110  and an external surface  144  disposed to be in contact with the external environment. One or more apertures  150  are disposed in the sole which correspond to the locations of traction element  130 , which when assembled extends from internal through external surfaces of outer sole  140 . A side portion  156 ,  156 ′ (not shown) extends from the toe cap to the outer sole heel and is disposed to cover and protect the entirety of left and right lower side portions of the athletic shoe  110 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8   d  and  8   e  illustrate inner sole plate  120 , and in this embodiment second inner sole plate  128  Inner sole ball plate  120  is comprised of a durable rubber or fabric layer  121 , which main purpose is to give grip to the shoe and conceal the more rigid inner sole cleat plate  122 . Preferably, layer  121  and cleat plate  122  are adhered together with high strength adhesive. Second inner sole plate  128  is similarly comprised of a durable layer  129  adhered to an inner sole heel plate  124 . Ball plate  122  and heel plate  124  is preferable constructed of a relatively rigid high strength plastic, rubber, metal, or composite material. 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, traction elements  130  are attached to plates  122 ,  124  prior to insertion into outer sole  140 . Traction elements may be cleats, studs, or spikes. The fraction elements may be permanently affixed to the plates, or may be removable or replaceable by the use of mechanical attachment points. 
         [0037]    A method for customizing athletic shoe  110  with athletic shoe cover  100  is readily seen by way of the  FIGS. 8   a  through  8   d  illustrations. The user first selects one of a plurality of types of traction elements suitable for a particular sport, and then attaches the selected traction elements to the inner sole plate. Alternatively, the user may select a pre-manufactured inner sole plate already having the traction elements installed. The user then places or inserts the inner sole plate against the inner surface of the flexible resilient outer sleeve, such that the traction elements extend through the apertures  150  in the sole of the outer sleeve. Finally, the user stretches the outer sleeve  140  around a lower periphery of an athletic shoe such that each traction element is held securely against and extending away from the sole of the athletic shoe. This last step is typically accomplished by hooking the toe cap  152  of the flexible resilient outer sleeve over the toe of the athletic shoe and hooking the heel portion  154  of the flexible resilient outer sleeve over the heel of the athletic shoe, preferably by gripping a heel grip tab  138  disposed on the heel portion. An alternative method may be used wherein the traction elements are not installed to the plate before the cover is applied. When needed, then, the traction elements are attached to the inner sole plates through the apertures  150  after the placing step and the stretching step. 
         [0038]    In an alternate construction of athletic shoe cover  100 , the assembly is completed during manufacturing. The sole plates  120 ,  128  are assembled and inserted into the empty outer sole  140  during manufacturing. If traction elements  130  are installed then, they are fitted through the outer sole  140  through apertures  150 . A high strength adhesive preferably bonds the entire assembly together. In this embodiment, it is envisioned that the traction elements  130  may optionally be configured to be replaceable through the apertures  150  if mechanical attachment points are included in the sole plates. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  illustrate top views of the athletic shoe cover  100 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the appearance of the shoe cover after assembly. The front region  22  of the athletic show cover  100  is constructed of a rugged material which is capable of managing the abuse of high impact activities. Preferably, thicker rubber is employed here that will be resilient to wear and tear. Similarly, the top of heel region  23  of the athletic shoe cover  100  is configured to play several key roles in the shoe cover&#39;s function. Heel region  23  preferably has a high spear head design or shape to increase the area of friction and grip between a person&#39;s shoe and the athletic shoe cover attachment. The spear head design may be the most flexible region of the shoe cover  100  so as to allow one model of an athletic shoe cover to fit several shoe sizes. By this means, the shoe cover  100  is also able to expand with a growing child&#39;s shoe size. 
         [0040]    Also shown in  FIG. 9  the top view of the inner sole layers  121  and  129 , for the ball area and the heel area of the foot respectively. These inner sole layers  121 ,  129  are disposed with textures and materials such that the surface creates traction against the shoe and thus minimizes any movement between shoe  110  and shoe cover  100 . Different types of patterns for traction for creating surface tension and maximizing performance fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0041]    Mid foot region  14  is preferably constructed of a relatively flexible and durable rubber material, possible thicker in areas that experience additional wear and tear. Region  13  is also the area where ornamental features such as the company logo may reside. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the outer sole  140  of the assembly, empty and void of any material or contents. An outer sole internal surface  142  is preferably constructed of a highly flexible, strong, and resilient rubber material. Apertures  150  are disposed in outer sole  140  of a size and arrangement to fit a variety of sports cleats, including baseball, soccer, football, cricket, softball and others. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11   a  illustrates a top view of inner sole plate  120  and second inner sole plate  128 , in particular layers  121 , shaped for the ball, and  129 , shaped for the heel, which are disposed to reside in contact with the sole of athletic shoe  110 . In addition to the friction elements shown and described, each will preferably consist of a durable material that is about 8 mm thick. 
         [0044]      FIG. 11   b  illustrates another view of inner sole plate  120  and second inner sole plate  128 , in particular inner sole ball plate  122 , and inner sole heel plate  124 , which are disposed to reside in contact with the internal surface of outer sole  140 . Each plate  122 ,  124  is made of high strength flexible plastic or composite material. Each functions to absorb and divert any energy away from the athletic shoe cover attachment, eliminate shifting between shoe and cover, and provide a support base for traction elements  130 , such as cleats. Metal cleats may be molded into the plates at manufacture. If of plastic or rubber, cleats can be formed from one single mold or attached separately. In one embodiment, plates will be bonded to the shoe cover  100  with a high strength adhesive. 
         [0045]      FIG. 12   a  illustrates a bottom view of shoe cover  100 , having athletic cleats  132  installed in apertures  150  (not shown). In addition, mid foot region  14  is preferably constructed of a relatively flexible and durable rubber material, possible thicker in areas that experience additional wear and tear. Region  14  should also be configured to minimize the resistance to bending of the shoe during use. 
         [0046]      FIG. 12   b  illustrates a bottom view of shoe cover  100  without athletic cleats installed. Apertures  150 , each of which corresponds to a cleat  132 , are visible. 
         [0047]      FIG. 13  illustrates yet another embodiment of shoe cover  200 , which is single integrated cover. In this embodiment, studs  134  are either permanently affixed to the cover  200 , or may be replaceable. Inner soles (not shown) are bonded to the outer sole  140  in this embodiment. Heel tab  138  is used to affix the shoe cover  200  to the athletic shoe  110  after hooking toe cap  252  over the toe of the shoe. 
         [0048]      FIG. 14  illustrates yet another embodiment of shoe cover  100  as it would appear in concert with shoe  110 . 
         [0049]    The scope of the above-described inventions also encompasses configurations of the athletic shoe cover which replaces cleats altogether with sole grip patterns for use on basketball courts and the like. The detachable sole could thus be manufactured for use on wood surfaces and street surfaces. In addition to being formed with a customized sole grip pattern, the composition of the material used for the sole itself could be optimized, such as by being formed of durable rubber, depending on the intended playing surface. The shoe cover would not only be functional for that specific sport, but could also incorporate decorative patterns, logos or colors that are customized to a team&#39;s colors or styles.