Abstract:
A water shoes for improving the safety of public bathing and swimming areas. The water shoes includes comprises a sole portion, and upper portion including vamp and quarters, and a cuff portion for abutting an ankle of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to footwear and more particularly pertains to a new water shoes for protecting the feet of a user while standing in water. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of water related footwear is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,585 describes a rubber soled sock for protecting a user form sharp objects. Another type of water related footwear is U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,477 for use with diving suits. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is superior for use in public bathing and swimming facilities to help minimize injury and or infection. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a protective sole, and water outlet valve for minimizing water building up in the shoe. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a new water shoes that can be easily worn in public bathing facilities to minimize the likelihood of slipping. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new water shoes that allows water circulation through the shoe not just accumulation in the shoe. 
   To this end, the present invention generally comprises a sole portion, and upper portion including vamp and quarters, and a cuff portion for abutting an ankle of the user. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a new water shoes according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic back view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 4  thereof, a new water shoe embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the water shoe  10  generally comprises a sole portion  20 , an upper portion  30 , and a cuff portion  40 . 
   The sole portion  20  has an inner surface 22  and an outer surface  24 . The inner surface  22  is designed for receiving a sole of a user&#39;s foot. The outer surface  24  is designed for abutting a support surface. 
   In an embodiment, a tread section  26  is positioned on the outer surface  24  adjacent to a ball portion of the user&#39;s foot. The tread section  26  provides a slip resistant surface. 
   In a further embodiment, a second tread section  28  is similarly positioned on the outer surface  24  adjacent to a heel portion of the user&#39;s foot. The second tread section  28  also provides a slip resistant surface. 
   The upper portion  30  includes a vamp  32  and quarters  34 , 36 . 
   The upper portion  30  is coupled to the sole portion  20 . 
   The cuff portion  40  is coupled to the upper portion  30 . Preferably the cuff portion  40  is resiliently flexible to facilitate insertion and removal of the user&#39;s foot from the shoe  10 . 
   A plurality of apertures  38  extends through the upper portion  30  for facilitating circulation of water into the shoe  10 . 
   An outlet flow valve  50  may be positioned through a heel section of the upper  30 . The outlet flow valve  50  facilitates evacuation of water from the shoe  10 . 
   An elastic member  42  may be operationally coupled to the cuff portion  40 . The elastic member  42  facilitates the cuff portion  40  abutting an ankle of the user. 
   In an embodiment, the shoe  10  is made of a polymeric material. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.