Shoe covers

Abstract

The present invention provides a shoe cover that suppresses dirt buildup on shoes while allowing the shoe's outsole to fully utilize its anti-slip effect during walking. [Solution] The shoe cover 1 comprises a lower opening 2 positioned on the sole side of the shoe 10 worn by the user, an upper opening 3 positioned above the lower opening 2, and a cylindrical cover body 4 extending between the lower opening 3 and the upper opening 2, covering the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10, including the upper part 13 and the side parts. The lower opening 2 is configured to expose the outsole 12 of the shoe 10 to the outside in a state where it can directly contact the ground when walking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shoe cover.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various shoe covers have been proposed to protect the shoes worn by users from dirt caused by rainwater and mud during rainy days. Patent Document 1 below describes a bag-shaped shoe cover made of a predetermined fabric, and it is expected to achieve both barrier properties against liquids and powders and comfort during wearing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional shoe covers are configured to cover not only the upper part and sides of the shoes but also the outsole, which is the sole of the shoes. Therefore, when a user wears a shoe cover and walks, the bottom surface of the shoe cover is rubbed between the outsole of the shoe and the ground and is easily torn. In addition, the bottom surface of the shoe cover is slippery and cannot fully exhibit the anti-slip effect of the original outsole.

[0005] This invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and the main object is to provide a shoe cover that can sufficiently exhibit the anti-slip effect of the outsole of the shoes during walking while suppressing dirt on the shoes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A shoe cover for preventing shoes from getting dirty, comprising: a lower opening positioned on the sole side of the shoe being worn by the user; an upper opening positioned above the lower opening; and a cylindrical cover body extending between the lower opening and the upper opening, covering the outer surface of the shoe, including the upper and side portions, wherein the lower opening is configured to expose the outsole of the shoe to the outside in a way that allows it to directly contact the ground when walking. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] By adopting the above configuration, the shoe cover of this invention can suppress dirt from getting on shoes while allowing the anti-slip effect of the shoe's outsole to be fully utilized when walking. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the shoe cover of this embodiment as seen from the top. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the shoe cover of this embodiment as seen from the bottom. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of shoes used with shoe covers. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the condition of the shoe covers. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the unfolded sheet material used to manufacture shoe covers. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the process of manufacturing shoe covers from sheet material. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing variations of shoe covers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of the shoe cover of the present invention based on the drawings. Note that the drawings are intended to aid in understanding the content of the invention and may contain exaggerated representations, and the scale and other aspects may not strictly match between drawings. Furthermore, the same or common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout each embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. Moreover, the specific configurations shown in the embodiments and drawings are for the purpose of understanding the content of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shoe cover 1 of this embodiment, seen from above. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe cover 1, seen from below. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a shoe 10 used with the shoe cover 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the shoe cover 1 in use, attached to the shoe 10. In Figure 1, a portion of the shoe cover 1 is cut away to aid in understanding its structure.

[0011] In this specification, the vertical direction of the shoe cover 1 is determined based on the usage state of the shoe cover 1 shown in Figure 4. Therefore, in Figure 4, the lower side of the shoe cover 1 is the side facing the ground, and the upper side of the shoe cover 1 is the side opposite the ground.

[0012] The shoe cover 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, to prevent shoes 10 from getting dirty with water or mud in rainy weather. The shoe cover 1 is compatible with various types of shoes and can be used with, for example, leather shoes, sneakers, boots, pumps, etc.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shoe cover 1 comprises a lower opening 2, an upper opening 3, and a cover body 4 extending between them.

[0014] The lower opening 2 is located on the sole 11 side of the shoe 10 worn by the user. The lower opening 2 opens, for example, at the lower end of the shoe cover 1. The lower opening 2 is positioned to follow the outer circumference of the sole 11 of the shoe 10, for example, as shown in Figure 4.

[0015] The upper opening 3 is located above the lower opening 2. The upper opening 3 is an opening for the user to insert their foot into the shoe cover 1. The upper opening 3 opens, for example, at the upper end of the shoe cover 1. The upper opening 3 is located on the user's foot (for example, the ankle or calf). In Figure 4, the upper opening 3 is positioned on the user's calf. The upper opening 3 may have a smaller diameter than the lower opening 2.

[0016] The cover body 4 extends between the lower opening 2 and the upper opening 3. The cover body 4 in this embodiment includes, for example, a first portion 4a and a second portion 4b. The first portion 4a is cylindrical and extends downward from the upper opening 3. The second portion 4b extends downward in connection with the first portion 4a and widens in diameter toward the toe side of the shoe 10. Therefore, the second portion 4b is cylindrical and has a larger diameter than the first portion 4a.

[0017] The cover body 4 is tubular in shape so as to cover the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10. The cover body 4 is formed so as to be able to cover the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10, including at least the upper part 13 and the side parts 14 of the shoe 10. In this embodiment, the second part 4b of the cover body 4 covers the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10. Therefore, rainwater, mud, etc., do not directly adhere to the upper part 13 and the side parts 14 of the shoe 10, and soiling of the shoe 10 is suppressed. In this embodiment, the first part 4a is exemplified as covering the part above the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10, i.e., the user's leg. However, the shoe cover 1 may consist only of the second part 4b. In this case, the upper opening 3 is provided at the upper end of the second part 4b, and is therefore located, for example, near the user's ankle.

[0018] The lower side opening 2 is configured to be exposed to the outside in a state where the outsole 12 of the shoe 10 can directly contact the ground during walking. In this specification, the "outsole" is a member constituting the shoe sole 11 and is generally made of materials such as leather and rubber. With such a lower side opening 2, even when the user wears the shoe cover 1 on the shoe 10 and walks, the user can walk while bringing the outsole 12 of the shoe 10 into contact with the ground. Therefore, the shoe cover 1 of the present embodiment can sufficiently exhibit the original anti-slip effect of the outsole 12 of the shoe 10 worn by the user while suppressing the dirt of the shoe 10, and can ensure the safety during walking.

[0019] The lower side opening 2 preferably includes a first fixing portion 5 for detachably fixing the cover body 4 to the outer surface S1 of the shoe 10. Thereby, the cover body 4 can be securely fixed to the shoe 10, and the occurrence of displacement between the shoe 10 and the shoe cover 1 due to walking can be effectively suppressed. Further, the shoe cover 1 can be easily removed from the shoe 10 by removing the first fixing portion 5.

[0020] The first fixing portion 5 may be provided, for example, on the inner surface S2 of the lower side opening 2. In the present embodiment, the first fixing portion 5 is provided on the entire circumference of the lower side opening 2. Thereby, the displacement of the shoe cover 1 is more effectively suppressed. In other examples, the first fixing portion 5 may be provided on a part of the lower side opening 2. For example, the first fixing portion 5 may be dispersedly provided on the instep side and the heel side of the shoe 10, respectively. Thereby, the shoe cover 1 can be manufactured at a low cost and can be lightened.

[0021] The first fixing portion 5 is preferably fixed in the vicinity of the side surface S3 of the outsole 12 of the shoe 10 in the use state. In the present embodiment, the lower side opening 2 is fixed in the vicinity of the side surface S3 of the outsole 12. More specifically, it is desirable that the cover body 4 is fixed so as to overlap at least a part of the side surface S3 of the outsole 12. Thereby, the soiling in the vicinity of the outsole 12 due to the splashing of rainwater and mud during walking is surely suppressed.

[0022] The first fixing part 5 may be composed of, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member. In this embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener is used as a preferred embodiment of the first fixing part 5. A hook-and-loop fastener consists of a male side and a female side, and the two are detachably fixed together by pressing them together. More specifically, one of the male and female sides of the hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the first fixing part 5 of the shoe cover 1, and the other of the male and female sides of the hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the side surface S3 of the outsole 12 of the shoe 10. Such a first fixing part 5 securely attaches the shoe cover 1 to the shoe 10, while allowing the shoe cover 1 to be easily removed from the shoe 10.

[0023] When the first fixing part 5 is made of hook-and-loop fasteners, the color of the hook-and-loop fasteners of the first fixing part 5 and the shoe-side fixing part 15 is preferably an approximate color of the side surface S3 of the outsole 12 of the shoe 10, and more preferably substantially the same color. Here, "approximate color" means a color that is visually close, and includes similar colors. Furthermore, "substantially the same color" includes not only perfectly identical colors, but also a range of colors that are visually perceived as identical, while including color differences that may occur in the manufacturing process of industrial products. When the first fixing part 5 and the shoe-side fixing part 15 are in use, they are easily identifiable as a whole with the side surface S3 of the outsole 12, and the design is enhanced.

[0024] The upper opening 3 preferably includes a second fixing part 6 for detachably securing the cover body 4 to the user's foot. This prevents relative displacement between the cover body 4 and the shoe 10, effectively suppressing positional displacement between the shoe 10 and the shoe cover 1 caused by walking. The second fixing part 6 may be provided on the shoe cover 1 together with the first fixing part 5, or in place of the first fixing part 5.

[0025] The second fixing part 6 may be provided, for example, around the entire circumference of the upper opening 3. This allows the second fixing part 6 to apply a uniform fixing force to the entire circumference of the upper opening 3, improving the tightness of the upper opening 3 to the user's foot. As a result, the slippage of the shoe cover 1 during walking can be more effectively suppressed, and consequently, the intrusion of rainwater and other liquids through the upper opening 3 can be prevented.

[0026] The second fixing part 6 may be composed of, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member. In this embodiment, an elastic member is used as a preferred embodiment of the second fixing part 6. The elastic material of the second fixing part 6 can be appropriately selected considering the desired elastic force. As the elastic member, for example, rubber, elastomer, elastic resin, etc., can be used. In this embodiment, the second fixing part 6 is made of rubber. As a result, the upper opening 3 elastically contracts and adheres closely to the user's ankle or calf, which can more effectively suppress slippage of the shoe cover 1 during walking and further suppress the intrusion of rainwater, etc.

[0027] The cover body 4 is preferably made of a waterproof material. The material of the cover body 4 can be appropriately selected considering the desired waterproof performance. Examples of waterproof materials include synthetic resins, elastomers, and rubber. Examples of synthetic resins include polyethylene, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride resin. Examples of rubber include synthetic rubber and natural rubber. This suppresses the penetration of rainwater and muddy water from the outside to the inside of the cover body 4, effectively preventing the shoes 10 from getting dirty.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is preferable that the shoe cover 1 has a design on its surface that includes pictures, letters, trademarks, etc. The design on the surface can be appropriately determined according to the user's age group, gender, etc. For example, if the user is a child, it is preferable that the design on the surface has a character printed on it. The first part 4a of the shoe cover 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a rabbit character printed on it. Note that in Figure 4, the display of this character is omitted to make it easier to understand the state of use of the shoe cover 1. Such a shoe cover 1 enhances visual appeal and improves design.

[0029] The shoe cover 1 of this embodiment may be manufactured in various ways. In one example, the shoe cover 1 may be molded using a mold, like a typical rubber boot. More specifically, the shoe cover 1 may be manufactured, for example, by injecting or placing resin, rubber, or the like into a mold having a cavity with an inverted shape of the shoe cover 1. This makes it possible to manufacture a shoe cover 1 with greater durability.

[0030] The shoe cover 1 may be manufactured by a less expensive method. For example, it may be manufactured by processing a sheet material made of resin. Figure 5 shows an unfolded view of a sheet material 21 as an example of such a method. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the sheet material 21 rolled up to be manufactured as the shoe cover 1. As shown in Figure 5, the sheet material 21 of this embodiment is, for example, substantially trapezoidal. The trapezoidal sheet material 21 has an upper first edge 16, a lower second edge 17 that extends substantially parallel to the first edge 16 and is longer than the first edge 16, and a pair of third edges 18 and fourth edges 19 that connect the first edge 16 and the second edge 17.

[0031] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the sheet material 21 can be rolled around the axis CL so that the third edge 18 and the fourth edge 19 are joined together to form a cylindrical cover body 4. To quickly join the third edge 18 and the fourth edge 19, the sheet material 21 preferably includes a third fixing part 7. The third fixing part 7 includes, for example, a third edge side fixing part 7A located on the third edge 18 side and a fourth edge side fixing part 7B located on the fourth edge 19 side, which are configured, for example, as hook-and-loop fasteners. Therefore, by facing the third edge side fixing part 7A and the fourth edge side fixing part 7B towards each other, the cylindrical shape of the cover body 4 can be easily maintained.

[0032] Although not shown in Figure 6, it is preferable that the process of rolling up the sheet material 21 as described above be performed around the shoes 10 worn by the user. This is desirable because it allows the shoe cover 1 to be manufactured and attached to the shoes 10 at the same time. Furthermore, with the shoe cover 1 as shown in Figure 6, portability can be improved by folding or rolling up the sheet material 21 when not in use.

[0033] It is preferable that the first fixing portion 5 be provided on the second edge 17 side of the sheet material 21. This allows the first fixing portion 5 of the shoe cover 1 to be fixed to the shoe-side fixing portion 15 at the same time as the shoe cover 1 is manufactured.

[0034] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a modified version of the shoe cover 1. The shoe cover 1 in Figure 7 includes a wire fastener 20 as an upper opening 3. In this example, the upper opening 3 includes a first opening 3a and a second opening 3b which can be opened and closed by opening the wire fastener 20. When the wire fastener 20 is open, the second opening 3b connects to the first opening 3a to provide a wider upper opening 3. This is desirable because it makes it easier for the user to insert the shoe 10 through the upper opening 3. On the other hand, closing the wire fastener 20 provides a narrower upper opening 3, as shown in Figure 7, allowing the shoe cover 1 to fit the shoe 10.

[0035] Although a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can be modified and implemented in various forms.

[0036] [Note] This invention includes the following embodiments.

[0037] [This invention 1] These are shoe covers designed to prevent shoes from getting dirty. The lower opening is located on the sole side of the shoe the user is wearing, An upper opening located above the lower opening, The shoe comprises a cylindrical cover body that extends between the lower opening and the upper opening and covers the outer surface of the shoe, including the upper and side portions of the shoe, The lower opening is configured to be exposed to the outside in a way that allows the outsole of the shoe to directly contact the ground when walking. Shoe covers. [This invention 2] The shoe cover according to the present invention 1, wherein the lower opening is provided with a first fixing portion for detachably fixing the cover body to the outer surface of the shoe. [This invention 3] The shoe cover according to the present invention 2, wherein the first fixing part is fixed near the side surface of the outsole of the shoe. [This invention 4] The shoe cover according to invention 2 or 3, wherein the first fixing part includes a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member. [5 of this invention] The shoe cover according to any one of inventions 1 to 4, wherein the upper opening is provided with a second fixing part for detachably fixing the cover body to the user's foot. [This invention 6] The shoe cover according to the present invention, wherein the second fixing part includes a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member. [7 of this invention] The shoe cover according to any one of inventions 1 to 6, wherein the cover body is formed from a waterproof material. [This invention 8] The shoe cover according to any one of inventions 1 to 7, wherein the cover body is formed into a cylindrical shape by rolling up a sheet material. [This invention 9] The shoe cover according to the present invention, wherein the cover body is provided with a third fixing part for holding the rolled-up cylindrical shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Shoe cover 2 Lower opening 3. Upper side opening 4. Cover body 10 shoes 11 Sole 12 Outsole 13 Instep 14 Side part S1 Outer surface of the shoe

Claims

1. These are shoe covers designed to prevent shoes from getting dirty. The lower opening is located on the sole side of the shoe the user is wearing, An upper opening located above the lower opening, The shoe comprises a cylindrical cover body that extends between the lower opening and the upper opening and covers the outer surface of the shoe, including the upper and side portions of the shoe, The lower opening is configured to be exposed to the outside in a way that allows the outsole of the shoe to directly contact the ground when walking. Shoe covers.

2. The shoe cover according to claim 1, wherein the lower opening is provided with a first fixing portion for detachably fixing the cover body to the outer surface of the shoe.

3. The shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein the first fixing portion is fixed near the side surface of the outsole of the shoe.

4. The shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein the first fixing part includes a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member.

5. The shoe cover according to claim 1, wherein the upper opening is provided with a second fixing portion for detachably fixing the cover body to the user's foot.

6. The shoe cover according to claim 5, wherein the second fixing part includes a hook-and-loop fastener, a belt, or an elastic member.

7. The shoe cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover body is formed from a waterproof material.

8. The shoe cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover body is formed into the cylindrical shape by rolling up a sheet material.

9. The shoe cover according to claim 8, wherein the cover body is provided with a third fixing part for holding the rolled-up cylindrical shape.

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