Abstract:
An apparatus for covering a spiked shoe. The apparatus fits over the spiked shoe and covers the spikes. The apparatus includes a non-slip sole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/539,393, filed on Jan. 27, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to footwear and, more particularly, to an apparatus for covering spiked shoes.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     Many athletic tracks are now of the new all purpose variety. These tracks necessitate that runners maintain sharp spikes on their shoes. On many tracks there are asphalt or concrete areas that dull the spikes very quickly. Often runners will try to maintain the sharpness and are observed walking on their heels to protect their toe spikes. This can sometimes cause cramping in the calf muscles. Additionally, these asphalt or concrete areas are also very slippery when walked on in spikes.  
         [0006]     Many track facilities also have aluminum or wood bleachers. Many track teams sit together in the bleachers as they await their next event because they are not allowed on the infield. These bleachers become pockmarked with tiny holes from shoe spikes. These tiny holes ruin the bleachers and cause splintering or small metal burrs. It is conceivable that many of these facilities will soon ban spikes from the bleacher areas.  
         [0007]     Additionally, many track events take place in the spring and in the fall when the weather is unstable. Events take place even if there is inclement weather.  
         [0008]     To offset some of these problems, athletes carry their regular athletic shoes with them out on the field. These spikeless shoes are usually somewhat bulky and after they change, the athletes need to carry around their track shoes.  
         [0009]     Thus, there remains a need in the art for an apparatus to cover a spiked shoe that is lightweight and having a non-slip sole which may be worn in inclement weather.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention is an apparatus for covering a spiked shoe. The apparatus fits over the spiked shoe and covers the spikes. The apparatus includes a non-slip sole.  
         [0011]     In one aspect of the invention, the athletes would carry the apparatus out on the field when they were in an event. When they were done with their event, each athlete would simply slip the apparatus over the spiked shoe. Thereafter, the athlete would be able to go anywhere without having to worry about the problems described above. The apparatus would particularly benefit athletes in short turn around events.  
         [0012]     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a sectional side view showing an apparatus for covering a spiked shoe;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparatus for covering a spiked shoe in a closed position in a first embodiment;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the apparatus for covering a spiked show in an open position in a first embodiment;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the apparatus for covering a spiked shoe in a second embodiment; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the apparatus for covering a spiked shoe in a second embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements,  FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus  10  for covering a spiked shoe (shown in phantom). For example, the spiked shoe may be a track shoe. The apparatus  10  includes an inner sole  12 . In the depicted embodiment, the inner sole  12  is made of a polyurethane elastomeric gel; however, those skilled in the art will understand that the inner sole  12  could also be made of cork, EVA foam, polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, or other similar materials. The gel inner sole may be made of, for example, polyurethane elastomeric gel such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,450 herein incorporated by reference. The shoe spikes become immersed within the inner sole  12  without penetrating it. The inner sole must be thick enough to receive a standard spike length, or about 0.44 inch (11.11 mm). In some embodiments, the inner sole  12  can be removed and replaced. The apparatus  10  also includes a non-skid sole  14 . While the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates the non-skid sole  14  as having a heel, those skilled in the art will understand that the non-skid sole  14  may be heel-less.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment of the apparatus  10  in a closed position. The apparatus  10  includes a flexible, lightweight, waterproof, and breathable upper  20 . The upper  20  provides an enclosure that receives the spiked shoe. The upper  20  has an inner portion  24  in which the inner sole  12  is mounted. The upper  20  has an outer portion  26  to which the non-skid sole  14  is mounted.  
         [0021]     The apparatus  10  includes a quick closing mechanism  16 . In the depicted embodiment, the quick closing mechanism is a zipper. The quick closing mechanism  16  is used to close the upper  20 . For example, the upper  20  may be closed to contain the spiked shoe. A top surface  18  of the inner sole  12  receives the spiked shoe.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates the apparatus  10  in an open or unzipped position. In the depicted embodiment, the quick closing mechanism  16  includes first zipper half  16   a  and second zipper half  16   b.  The first and second zipper halves  16   a,    16   b  meet together to close the upper  20 . The apparatus also includes a short elastic tongue  22 . The short elastic tongue  22  assists in holding the spiked shoe within the upper  20 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates an apparatus  100  for covering spiked shoes in a second embodiment. The apparatus  100  includes an inner sole  112 , a non-skid outer sole  114 , first and second quick closing mechanisms  116 , and an upper  120 . In the depicted embodiment, the quick closing mechanisms  16  are zippers.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates the apparatus  100  in a closed or zipped-up position. A top surface  118  of the inner sole  112  receives the spiked shoe.  
         [0025]     In operation, a user (not shown) opens up the apparatus  10  using the quick closing mechanism  16 . Once the apparatus  10  is open, the user places a foot having a spiked shoe into the apparatus  10 . The user then closes the apparatus  10  using the quick closing mechanism. In the depicted embodiment, the user zips up the zipper. Thereafter, the user may walk around on the apparatus  10 .  
         [0026]     In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.  
         [0027]     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.  
         [0028]     As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, while the quick closing mechanism is shown as a zipper, other devices may be used. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.