Slip resistant expansion overshoe

Abstract

A slip resistant overshoe allowing expansion between a toe section and a heel section to allow a variety of shoe sizes and types to be inserted. The overshoe is formed from a sole having a flexible shank connected to an upper member. The upper member includes a front section and a rear section with opposing side sections therebetween. Each of the opposing side sections and flexible shank includes a corrugated shape to allow expansion of a distance between the front and rear section; a flatter surface resulting in greater slip resistance. Channels formed along a toe section and heel section expand and contract to expel debris providing an anti-clog function to maintain material slip resistance of the overshoe.

Claims

1. An overshoe comprising: a one piece molded member defined by an upper member having a front section spaced apart from a rear section by opposing side sections, said side sections having a plurality of ridges and grooves, and a sole portion having a toe section positioned beneath said upper member and spaced apart from a heel section positioned beneath said rear section; a shank having a plurality of ridges and grooves formed integral to said member and positioned between said toe section and said heel section, said shank and said side sections forming a continuous U-shaped corrugated section, said ridges and grooves are constructed and arranged to stretch substantially the same across said shank and said opposing side sections forming said corrugated section, and diminish in stretch along each said side section extending from a rear edge of said shank towards said heel portion, and diminish in stretch along said side section extending from a front edge of said shank towards said toe section; wherein said corrugated section having ridges and grooves of equal shape that are constructed and arranged to allow the stretching of said member between said front section and said rear section and said toe section and said heel section.

2. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein said corrugated section having a material thickness of about 1.5 mm thick formed from said ridges and grooves alternating between an inner surface and an outer surface about 5.0 mm width.

3. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein said ridges and grooves on said side sections are constructed and arranged to have a diminishing width extending from a rear edge of said shank towards said heel portion, and from a front edge of said shank towards said toe portion.

4. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein each said shank is indented from said heel section and said toe section by about 3.5 mm.

5. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein each said toe section and said heel section is about 2.0 mm thick.

6. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein said ridges and grooves of said shank are of varying heights and widths.

7. The overshoe of claim 1 wherein including a connecting band extending between said front section and said rear section along an upper edge of each said side sections, said connecting band of a predetermined stretch length.

8. The overshoe of claim 1, wherein said toe section and said heel section include a non-slip tread design of a slip resistant material.

9. The overshoe of claim 8 wherein said slip resistant material has a hardness of about 0.49 Shore.

10. The overshoe of claim 8 includes a plurality of channels formed along said toe section and said heel section, each said channel is constructed and arranged to expand and contract to provide active cleaning of the channels by expelling debris for maintaining slip resistance of the overshoe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional side view of the overshoe of the instant invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the overshoe;

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is a heel view thereof;

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overshoe with an example of a non-slip tread design;

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along lines B1-B2 of FIG. 5;

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken along lines C1-C2 of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken along lines D1-D2 of FIG. 5; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a top view, illustrating the insole, with the upper member removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

(11) Referring in general to the Figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1-2, disclosed is the slip resistant overshoe 10 having a sole 12 defined by an insole 14 and an outsole 16. The sole 12 is further bounded by a toe section 18 spaced apart from a heel section 20 by a mid-portion, referred to throughout this specification as a flexible shank 22. An upper member 24 is connected to the sole 12, either by weldment or by being formed from a single piece of material. The upper member 24 includes a front section 32 and a rear section 34 with opposing side sections 36 and 38 forming a cavity 26 for receipt of a shoe 30. The overshoe 10 can accept a variety of shoe sizes, as will be further described. Each said opposing side section 36, 38 includes a corrugated section 40 as illustrated by section 36 in FIG. 1, formed between the front section 32 and the rear section 34.

(12) The corrugated section 40 is further defined as a plurality of ridges 42 and grooves 44 extending between an inner surface 46 of the upper member 24 to an outer surface 48 of the upper member 24, as seen more clearly in FIGS. 6-8. Each side section 36, 38 is substantially V-shaped with the flexible shank forming a bottom of the section and extending from the flexible shank 22 toward the upper member front section 32 as bordered by front section edge 50, leading to upper section edge 52 beneath a connecting band 56 and bounded by a rear section edge 54 extending from flexible shank 22 toward the upper member rear section 34.

(13) The connecting band 56 has a thickness of about 2.8 mm and is positioned between the front section 32 and the rear section 34 along the upper edge of each corrugated side section and allows controlled stretching during shoe installation, but is resistant to additional spacing once the ridges and grooves of the corrugated side sections have been fully expanded. The connecting band 56 operates to seal the overshoe to the shoe after installation by providing a smooth inner surface in close proximity to the installed shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the ridges 42 and grooves 44 of each corrugated side section 40 along the center portion of the overshoe 10 are matched with the ridges 60 and grooves 62 of the flexible shank. Expansion of this area is effortless since the ridges and grooves provide sufficient material to allow expansion of the length of the overshoe, with the connecting band 56 limiting expansion along the upper edge 52, and requiring stretching of the connecting band 56 if a further length is required. Similarly, the flexible shank 22 is formed from a plurality of ridges 60 and grooves 62 extending between the insole 14 and outsole 16. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible shank 22 is formed from ridges 60 and grooves 62 having substantially the same height and width. Further, where the flexible shank 22 meets the side wall sections 36 and 38, the ridges 60 and grooves 62 match, forming a U-shaped section having substantially the same height and width, allowing for a predetermined expansion. As with any rubber based overshoe, further stretching of the overshoe after expansion allows for insertion of an even larger size shoe. Further, in this application the stretching of the sole provides a flatter surface, resulting in a greater slip resistance.

(14) The slip resistant overshoe is constructed from a unique slip resistant material. The slip resistant material has a hardness of about 0.49 Shore, based on tests performed on a Durometer Hardness Tester. The material also has a slip resistance rating of 0.56-0.65 when tested on a Brungraber Mark 2 Articulated Strut Slip Testing Device. A slip resistant surface is defined as a surface having a rating of 0.50 or higher when tested on the Brungraber Mark 2 Articulated Strut Slip Testing Device.

(15) It is noted in this disclosure that the ridges 60 and grooves 62 allow for a predetermined expansion before stretching of the rubber material is required. This not only allows for ease of installation, but further allows for a larger range of shoe sizes that can be inserted into the cavity 26. The flexible shank 22 is constructed and arranged to allow expansion between the toe section 18 and the heel section 20 with corrugated sections, allowing controlled expansion of a predetermined distance between the front section 32 and the rear section 34. In the preferred embodiment, the sole 12 and the upper member 24 are molded as a single member. The average thickness of the upper member 24 is about 2 mm; the average thickness of the ridges and grooves is also about 2 mm.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the outsole toe section 18 includes a tip section 65 formed from ridges 70 positioned between the side walls 36 and 38. The ridges 70 provide toe traction. The remainder of the outsole forefront 72 is formed of a non-slip tread design 76. The tread design 76 depicted is particularly suited to work environments where the workers are required to traverse slick floor surfaces. The tread design 76 is formed from sipes 78 formed between square blocks of nine elements. The sipes 78 are used for squeegeeing and channeling liquid away from the tread to prevent slippage. The heel section 20 of the outsole 16 is also provided with sipes 78 which reduce or prevent both forward and sideways slippage of the footwear. Three channels 79 are formed along the toe section and two channels 81 are formed along the heel section. The channels expand and contract when an individual is walking, the expanding and contracting provides active cleaning of the channels by expelling debris. Each channel is about 3.5 mm wide and has a length that extends along the heel section and the toe section operate in combination with the sipes to maintain the slip resistance of the overshoe. Additional channels could be added to the heel and toe sections, illustrated is the preferred embodiment. The ability to expel debris provides an anti-clog function by causing debris to loosen and fall out. The anti-clog function maintains material slip resistance. The channels further allow expansion of the overshoe to permit ease of installation and removal.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the thickness of the treads is about 5 mm, in addition to the 2 mm upper member thickness. To assist in installing a shoe into the overshoe 10, a tab 84 is formed along the rear section 34, having gripping tabs 86 to allow frictional engagement of the tab 84.

(18) Referring now to FIG. 9, the insole 14 of the overshoe 10 includes a plurality of raised ribs 80 providing spacing between the bottom of a shoe, not shown, and the inner surface 82 of the insole 14. The raised ribs 80 limit the contact of a shoe being inserted to the tops of the raised ribs 80. It is noted that both the outsole tread design and the material of construction provide for non-slip surfaces which can further inhibit the insertion of a shoe into the overshoe. As the non-slip material forms the inner surface 82 of the insole 14, limiting the contact of the shoe to the raised ribs 80 limits surface contact for ease of shoe insertion. As a benefit, the raised ribs 80 further provide a cushion to the individual, as the weight of an individual will compress the ribs 80 while standing or walking.

(19) The overshoe of the present invention is a one piece slip resistant molded member defined by an upper member having a front section spaced apart from a rear section by opposing side sections and a sole member having a toe section positioned beneath the upper member and spaced apart from a heel section by a shank, the heel positioned beneath the rear section. The shank is formed of a plurality of ridges and grooves, the ridges and grooves extending along a portion of each side section, forming a continuous U-shaped corrugated section; wherein the shank and the opposing side sections are constructed and arranged to allow the stretching of a distance between the front section 32 and the rear section 34 and the toe section 18 and the heel section 20.

(20) The overshoe has a corrugated section having a material thickness of about 1.5 mm thick formed from the ridges and grooves alternating between and inner surface 46 and an outer surface 48 about 5.0 mm width.

(21) The ridges 60 and grooves 62 are constructed and arranged to have a diminishing width extending from a rear edge of the shank 22 towards the heel section 20, and from a front edge of the shank 22 towards the toe section 18. The heel section and the toe section are about 3.5 mm from a bottom surface of the shank 22. The toe section 18 is about 2.0 mm thick, and the heel section 20 is about 2.0 mm thick.

(22) The overshoe ridges 60 and grooves 62 are constructed and arranged to stretch substantially the same across the shank and the opposing side sections 36, 38, and diminish in stretch along the corrugated section 40, extending from a rear edge of the shank 22 towards the heel portion 20, and diminish in stretch along the corrugated section 40 extending from a front edge of the shank 22 towards the toe section 16. The ridges 60 and grooves 62 can be of varying heights and widths.

(23) A non-corrugated connecting band 46 extends between the front section 32 and the rear section 34 along an upper edge of each corrugated section, the connecting band 56 of a predetermined stretch length. The outsole of the toe section 16 and the heel section 18 include a non-slip tread design. The insole 14 includes raised ribs 80, allowing ease of shoe removal.

(24) The term “about” means, in general, the stated value plus or minus 5%. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more” or “at least one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternative are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

(25) The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements, possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features, possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.

(26) It is to be understood that while certain forms of the invention are illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

(27) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.