GB2127671A

GB2127671A - Non-slip outer foot-coverings

Info

Publication number: GB2127671A
Application number: GB08227535A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-09-27
Filing date: 1982-09-27
Publication date: 1984-04-18

Abstract

A goloshe in which sole and heel tread portions (2) are each provided with surface formations (4 and 5) in which surface convexities and concavities provide protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Non-slip outer foot-covering Field of the invention The invention relates to outer foot-coverings, such as galoshes, for wear outside conventional shoes or boots.

Background art In order to keep conventional shoes dry and clean, it is known to provide outer foot-coverings, for wear outside conventional shoes, which each comprise an outer layer, at least, of waterimpervious elastomeric material and tread portions having surface formations for resisting sliding movement of the tread portions along a supporting surface.

It is also known to provide foot-coverings such as golf shoes and cricket boots with studs and other non-slip formations on the tread portions provided on their soles and heels. However, if these known foot-coverings are made from water-impervious elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber or plastic, they are usually uncomfortable to wear, do not provide proper support for the feet, and do not keep the feet warm. As a result, they are not suitable for use in the pursuance of sporting activities.

Disclosure of the invention It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a foot-covering which can be used to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of known footwear.

This is achieved by the provision of surface formations comprising protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion on which the surface formations are provided.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided an outer foot-covering, for wear outside a conventional shoe or boot, comprising an outer layer, at least, of water-impervious elastomeric material and at least one tread portion having surface formations for resisting sliding movement of the tread portion along a supporting surface and comprising protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion on which the surface formations are provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface formations comprise surface convexities and concavities formed in the material from which the outer layer of the tread portion is made.

In addition to overcoming the disadvantages of prior art footwear, footwear according to the invention has the additional advantage that it can be worn over warm, comfortable and supportive shoes or boots and this is cheaper than purchasing a special pair of boots or shoes for use in sporting activities. This applies not only when water-proof winter-wear is required. Footwear according to the invention is also lighter and more easily packed than an additional set of footwear. Moreover, where the formations provided on the tread portions of the footwear according to the invention comprise surface convexities and concavities, the footwear can be used as conventional galoshes.

An embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing Figures 1 and 2 are a side elevation and a plan view of the underneath of a first galosh constructed in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 3 and 4 are a side elevation and a plan view of the underneath of a second galosh constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Mode for carrying-out the invention The galosh shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises inner reinforcement of woven fabric material (not shown) supporting an outer layer 1 of synthetic rubber material. The underneath portion is provided with sole and heel tread portions 2 and these tread portions 2 are each provided with surface formations 4 and 5 respectively comprising parallel ridges separated by intervening grooves which extend longitudinally and laterally of the galosh.

The protruberances, in the form of ridges separated by grooves, have heights of at least 2 mm, but may be 10 mm or more depending on use for which the galosh is designed.

It is to be understood that the height of the protruberances need not be uniform throughout the whole of the tread portions 2 and that the surface formations need not be arranged in the pattern shown in Figure 2.

The galosh shown in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to the galosh shown in Figures 1 and 2, but differs in that it is provided with a single tread portion 3, extending over the sole and the heel of the galosh, and in that the surface formations 4 and 5 comprise randomly disposed irregularly shaped covexities 4 surrounded by concavities 5.

Claims

1. An outer foot-covering, for wear outside a conventional shoe or boot, comprising an outer layer (1), at least, of water-impervious elastomeric material and tread portions (2, or 3) each having surface formations (4 and 5) for resisting sliding movement of the tread portion along a supporting surface, characterised in that the surface formations (4 and 5) comprise protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion (2, or 3) on which the surface formations (4 and 5) are provided.

2. An outer foot-covering, according to Claim 1, in which the surface formations comprise surface convexities (4) and concavities (5) formed

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Non-slip outer foot-covering Field of the invention The invention relates to outer foot-coverings, such as galoshes, for wear outside conventional shoes or boots. Background art In order to keep conventional shoes dry and clean, it is known to provide outer foot-coverings, for wear outside conventional shoes, which each comprise an outer layer, at least, of waterimpervious elastomeric material and tread portions having surface formations for resisting sliding movement of the tread portions along a supporting surface. It is also known to provide foot-coverings such as golf shoes and cricket boots with studs and other non-slip formations on the tread portions provided on their soles and heels. However, if these known foot-coverings are made from water-impervious elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber or plastic, they are usually uncomfortable to wear, do not provide proper support for the feet, and do not keep the feet warm. As a result, they are not suitable for use in the pursuance of sporting activities. Disclosure of the invention It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a foot-covering which can be used to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of known footwear. This is achieved by the provision of surface formations comprising protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion on which the surface formations are provided. Thus, according to the invention, there is provided an outer foot-covering, for wear outside a conventional shoe or boot, comprising an outer layer, at least, of water-impervious elastomeric material and at least one tread portion having surface formations for resisting sliding movement of the tread portion along a supporting surface and comprising protruberances which project at least 2 mm beyond adjacent parts of the tread portion on which the surface formations are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the surface formations comprise surface convexities and concavities formed in the material from which the outer layer of the tread portion is made. In addition to overcoming the disadvantages of prior art footwear, footwear according to the invention has the additional advantage that it can be worn over warm, comfortable and supportive shoes or boots and this is cheaper than purchasing a special pair of boots or shoes for use in sporting activities. This applies not only when water-proof winter-wear is required. Footwear according to the invention is also lighter and more easily packed than an additional set of footwear. Moreover, where the formations provided on the tread portions of the footwear according to the invention comprise surface convexities and concavities, the footwear can be used as conventional galoshes. An embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawing Figures 1 and 2 are a side elevation and a plan view of the underneath of a first galosh constructed in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 3 and 4 are a side elevation and a plan view of the underneath of a second galosh constructed in accordance with the present invention. Mode for carrying-out the invention The galosh shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises inner reinforcement of woven fabric material (not shown) supporting an outer layer 1 of synthetic rubber material. The underneath portion is provided with sole and heel tread portions 2 and these tread portions 2 are each provided with surface formations 4 and 5 respectively comprising parallel ridges separated by intervening grooves which extend longitudinally and laterally of the galosh. The protruberances, in the form of ridges separated by grooves, have heights of at least 2 mm, but may be 10 mm or more depending on use for which the galosh is designed. It is to be understood that the height of the protruberances need not be uniform throughout the whole of the tread portions 2 and that the surface formations need not be arranged in the pattern shown in Figure 2. The galosh shown in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to the galosh shown in Figures 1 and 2, but differs in that it is provided with a single tread portion 3, extending over the sole and the heel of the galosh, and in that the surface formations 4 and 5 comprise randomly disposed irregularly shaped covexities 4 surrounded by concavities 5. Claims

2. An outer foot-covering, according to Claim 1, in which the surface formations comprise surface convexities (4) and concavities (5) formed in the material from which the outer layer of the tread portion is made.

3. An outer foot-covering, for wear outside a conventional shoe or boot, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.