Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BOOT WITH EXTENDABLE SLEEVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a boot to be worn on the foot of a
person, and more particularly relates to a boot including a sleeve of
waterproof or
water resistant material which is extendable from the boot about the leg of
the
person.
BACKGROUND
For use in various outdoor activities it is known to be desirable to
provide boots which include integral waterproof leggings which in some
instances
extend all the way to the hips of the user and are referred to as hip waders.
These
types of boots are typically limited in their use as they cannot be used for
everyday
situations.
US patents 1,090,223 to McNeer, 1,975,597 to Berry, 2,230,291 to
Evans, 2,824,390 to Walker and 4,586,271 to Maleyko disclose various examples
of footwear in which a legging portion can be selectively extended from the
boot
portion.
In the examples described by Mcneer and Evans, the entire leg
portion of the footwear is fully removed from the foot portion so that the
footwear is
only useable as a shoe or a fully non-breathable boot extending part way up
the
leg of the user. The footwear thus remains limited in its application.
In the examples disclosed by Berry and Walker, the boot includes a
foot portion and a leg portion with the legging being extendable from the leg
portion of the boot. In each instance however the legging is secured to an
inner
side of the leg portion of the boot so that the collapsed legging portion must
be
stored within the interior of the leg portion of the boot causing discomfort
to the
user if not properly positioned. Furthermore the waterproof legging is non-
breathable and is positioned so as to line the leg portion of the boot when
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collapsed so that the entire leg portion of the boot remains non-breathable
causing
further discomfort to the user.
In the example disclosed by Maleyko, the extended sleeve is
connected to the top end of the leg portion so that when the legging is
extended
from the boot, the closures in the leg portion are below the legging so that
the leg
portion of the boot is not fully waterproofed and protected form the elements.
Furthermore the leg portion is required to be formed of a non-breathable
material if
it is to be fully waterproof due to the legging being positioned thereabove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a boot
comprising:
a foot mold portion for receiving a foot of a person therein;
a leg portion extending upwardly from the foot mold portion for
receiving a lower portion of a leg of a person therein; and
an extendable sleeve secured about an exterior of the leg portion
from a location spaced below a top end of the leg portion;
the sleeve being formed of a water resistant material.
By securing a sleeve of waterproof or water resistant material at a
location spaced below the top end of the leg portion, while being on the
exterior
side thereof, the leg portion can be formed of a lighter weight, breathable
material.
The boot thus remains fully waterproof in the extended position of the sleeve
as
the sleeve resultingly overlaps the exterior of the leg portion of the boot.
Furthermore location of the sleeve on the exterior of the leg portion causes
no
discomfort to the user when stored as the bulk of the material forming the
sleeve is
stored exterior to the leg portion and does not affect the fit of the leg
portion or foot
mold portion to the foot and leg of the user.
In one embodiment of the boot, there is provided a lower waterproof
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portion and an upper breathable portion, and the sleeve is secured about an
exterior of the boot below the breathable portion. A portion of the leg
portion which
extends above connection of the sleeve to the leg portion preferably comprises
a
breathable material.
The sleeve is preferably secured to the leg portion adjacent the foot
mold portion in sealing engagement therewith about a full periphery of the
sleeve.
A portion of the boot extending below connection of the sleeve with
the leg portion preferably also comprises a waterproof or at least water
resistant
material.
When the leg portion includes a closure in the form of a slot and
fasteners for tightening the leg portion about the leg of the user, the sleeve
is
preferably secured about the leg portion below the slot of the closure.
There may be provided a panel secured about the leg portion below
connection of the sleeve to the leg portion in which the panel is foldable
between a
closed position extending upwardly and overlapping a seam between the sleeve
and the leg portion, and an open position extending downwardly in which the
seam
between the sleeve and the leg portion is exposed. Preferably the free edge of
the
panel and an exterior of the sleeve include mating fasteners for securing the
free
edge of the panel to the sleeve when the sleeve is extended.
The panel may include a vertical split formed therein and fasteners
which selectively join the split.
In a further embodiment, the sleeve may be selectively separable
from the leg portion and foot mold portion of the boot. In this instance, the
sleeve
may be securable to the leg portion and the foot mold portion of the boot in a
first
orientation and in a second orientation in which inner and outer sides of the
sleeve
are reversed relative to one another in relation to the first orientation.
There may
be provided a printed image on both inner and outer sides of the sleeve.
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The sleeve is preferably securable to the leg portion and foot mold
portion of the boot by a sealable and selectively separable fastening
mechanism,
for example a waterproof zipper extending annularly about the boot.
A seam joining the sleeve to the leg portion of the boot may be
overlapped by an inner panel forming an inner pocket concealing the sleeve in
a
stowed position therein and an outer panel which overlaps the inner panel and
forms an outer pocket receiving both the sleeve and the inner panel therein at
the
exterior of the leg portion. Each of the inner and outer panels in this
instance
preferabiy includes respective fasteners for selectively maintaining the panel
in a
closed position receiving the sleeve therein.
The sleeve may include an annular ring formed of stiffer material
thereabout adjacent a top end thereof. Also, the sleeve may include at least
one
loop extending from the top end thereof for securement to a belt of the
person.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the boot
with the sleeve in a stowed position.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the boot according to Figure 1 in
which an outer panel stowing the sleeve therein has been opened.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a pair of boots according to the
embodiment of Figure 1 in which the boot on the right foot of the user is
shown
with the sleeve extended but the outer flap remaining in the open position,
while
the boot on the left foot of the user is shown with the sleeve extended and
the
outer flap shown in the closed position.
Figure 4 and Figure 5 are respective side and front elevational views
of the top end of the boot according to Figure 1 with the sleeve in the stowed
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position.
Figure 6 and Figure 7 are respective side elevational and front
elevational views of the outer panel being opened.
Figure 8 and Figure 9 are respective side and front elevational views
5 of the sleeve shown extended from the boot but with the outer panel
remaining in
the open position.
Figure 10 and Figurell are respective side and front elevational
views of the sleeve extended with the outer panel in the closed position
against the
sleeve.
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the
boot with the sleeve shown in the stowed position.
Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the boot according to Figure
12 in which the outer flap has been opened.
Figure 14 and Figure 15 are side elevational views of the boot
according to Figure 12 in which the sleeve has been extended and in which the
outer flap is in the open and closed positions respectively.
Figure 16 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the
boot.
Figure 17 is a side elevational view of the boot according to Figure
16 with the outer panel shown in the open position but the sleeve still shown
stowed.
Figure 18 and Figure 19 are respective side elevational views of the
boot according to Figure 16 with the sleeve in the extended position and in
which
the outer panel is shown in the open and closed positions respectively.
Figure 20 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the
boot with the sleeve shown in the extended position.
Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the boot according to Figure
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20 in which the sleeve is shown detached and reversed in relation to Figure
20.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a boot
general indicated by reference numeral 10. Although various embodiments are
shown in the accompanying figures, the common features of the boot 10 will
first
be described herein.
The boot includes a foot mold portion 12 which comprises an
integrally molded waterproof piece for surrounding the foot of the person. The
foot
mold portion 12 includes the sole of the boot as well as the heel, the toe,
and the
body which surrounds and receives the foot of the person therein.
The boot 10 further includes a leg portion 14 which extend upwardly
from a foot opening in the foot mold portion through which the foot is
received. The
leg portion extends upwardly from the foot portion for receiving and
surrounding at
least a lower portion of the leg of the user including the ankle.
The boot 10 further includes an extendable sleeve 16 formed of
waterproof or at least water resistant material which fully surrounds the leg
of the
user and is extendable upwardly beyond the height at which the leg portion
extends up the leg of the user for waterproofing and protecting the leg of the
user
as desired. The sleeve 16 is joined about the exterior side of the leg portion
14 of
the boot about a full 360 degree periphery of the leg of the user to form a
fully
sealed joint between the sleeve 16 and the leg portion of the boot.
The sleeve 16 is coupled to the leg portion 14 at a location spaced
below the top end of the leg portion so that a portion of the leg portion 14
extends
upwardly beyond the sleeve when the sleeve is in the stored position and is
rolled
up adjacent the joint between the sleeve 16 and the leg portion. The portion
of the
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boot which is below the joint of the sleeve with the leg portion 14 is fully
waterproofed so that when the sleeve is extended, the waterproof material of
the
sleeve and a portion of the boot below the sleeve joint together form a fully
waterproof barrier between the user and the surrounding environment. When the
sleeve 16 is extended, the sleeve extends a considerable height along the leg
of
the user which is much greater than the height of the leg portion 14.
Turning now to Figures 1 through 15, the common features of the
first two embodiments will now be described in further detail. In each
instance a
dual layer pocket is formed by first providing an annular outer panel which is
joined
about a full periphery of the leg portion 14 of the boot along a bottom edge
thereof
so as to extend upwardly to an annular free edge 20 of the outer panel 18. The
outer panel 18 is joined at its bottom edge to the leg portion below the joint
of the
sleeve 16 with the leg portion so that when the outer panel 18 is folded
upwardly
into a closed position a space comprising an outer pocket is defined between
the
outer panel 18 and the exterior of the boot. The outer pocket receives the
sleeve
16 therein and also locates the sleeve joint to the leg portion 14 therein.
The annular free end 20 of the outer panel 18 and the exterior of the
leg portion 14 spaced above the sleeve joint include mating fasteners 22 so
that
the free end 20 can be joined to the leg portion 14 to contain the sleeve 16
within
the space between the panel and the leg portion 14 in the closed position of
the
outer panel. The sleeve is thus fully stowed and concealed in the closed
position of
the panel. Alternatively the panel may be folded downwardly into an open
position
to expose the seam or joint of the sleeve with the leg portion 14.
The secondary pocket is formed by an annular inner panel 24 which
similarly fully surrounds the leg portion 14 but which is instead permanently
fastened to the leg portion 14 both above and below the sleeve joint on the
leg
portion. The space between the inner panel 24 and the exterior of the leg
portion
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define an inner pocket which receives the sieeve therein and which is in turn
received within the outer pocket of the outer panel 18 along with the sleeve
as
well.
Access to the sleeve and the sleeve joint is thus provided by a
selectively separable annular seam 26 in the inner panel 24 which is
selectively
maintained in the closed position by a suitable zipper formed annularly about
the
inner panel 24 about the leg portion. The outer panel 18 is joined to the leg
portion
below the coupling of the inner panel to the leg portion while the mating
fasteners
22 are provided above the connection of the inner panel 24 to the leg portion.
When the zipper is released, the inner panel 24 is also in the open position
so that
when both the inner and outer panels are opened, the sleeve 16 is accessible
and
can be extended from the pockets along the leg of the user. When the sleeve is
extended, an additional mating fastener 22 is exposed about a periphery of the
sleeve in alignment with the free end 20 of the outer panel when the outer
panel is
folded upwardly into the closed position. The free edge of the outer panel can
thus
be fastened to the sleeve to conceal the lower portion of the inner panel 24
in the
extended position of the sleeve.
Turning now more particularly to Figures 1 through 11 the boot 10
comprises a rubber boot in which the foot mold portion 12 and the leg portion
14
are formed integrally with one another of a continuous waterproof material.
The
sleeve 16 is joined to the leg portion in this instance near the top end
thereof but
spaced downwardly at least somewhat from the top end so that the rolled up
sleeve in the stowed position remains fully on the exterior of the leg portion
below
the top end thereof. In this manner the sleeve in the stowed position does not
affect the comfort of the boot relative to the user.
The first embodiment of Figures 1 through 11 is further distinguished
in that the sleeve extends substantially the full length of the leg of the
user to an
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annular seam 28 about the top end of the sleeve 16 surrounding the leg. The
annular seam 28 is somewhat stiffer than the material forming the remainder of
the
sleeve so as to form a suitable guide to assist in rolling of the sleeve back
into the
stowed position. A side extension 30 is provided at the top end of the sleeve
16
which extends upwardly beyond the annular seam 28 at an outer side of the
sleeve
for extending to the hip of the user. The side extension includes a belt strap
30 at
the upper free end of the side extension 30 which is suitably arranged for
strapping
onto the belt of the user. The extensions 30 can be folded down at the annular
seam 38 as shown in Figure 3 prior to rolling the sleeve back into the stowed
position.
Turning now to Figures 12 through 15, the second embodiment will
now be described in further detail. The boot 10 in this instance comprises a
winter
boot in which the foot mold is formed of an integral waterproof material which
is
stiff compared to the leg portion extending upwardly therefrom. The material
of the
leg portion is much lighter in weight and is much more flexible. The leg
portion 14
in this instance includes fasteners 34 near the bottom end of the leg portion
adjacent the foot mold to form a closure which assists in cinching the leg
portion
about the lower portion of the leg or ankle of the user for proper fit of the
boot to
the user. The sleeve 16 in this instance joins the leg portion at the seam
between
the leg portion and the foot mold about a full 360 degree periphery of the
bottom of
the sleeve to ensure a complete seal between the waterproof material of the
sleeve 16 and the waterproof material forming the foot mold portion of the
boot.
The sleeve 16 is thus fastened about the boot below the fasteners 34 forming
the
closure. The sleeve 16 in this instance preferably has a height which
corresponds
approximately to the knee of the user so that the length of the leg portion 14
remains considerably extended. A top end of the sleeve 16 includes a suitable
cinching drawstring 36 to secure the top end of the sleeve about the leg of
the user
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and maintain the sleeve in the extended position.
Turning now to Figures 16 through 19, a third embodiment of the
boot 10 will now be described in further detail in which the boot comprises a
hiking
boot. The hiking boot includes a waterproof foot mold portion 12 from which
the leg
5 portion 14 extends as in the previous embodiments however the leg portion 14
in
this instance comprises breathable material for improved user comfort. The leg
portion includes a conventional slot so as to be expandable to increase the
size of
the foot opening when inserting the foot of the user therein. Closures 40 in
the
form of laces and the like are provided to tighten the slot of the leg potion
14 about
10 the ankle of the user. The sleeve 16 in this instance is joined to the base
of the leg
portion 14 at the foot mold portion 12 to form a seal about a full periphery
of the
boot with the foot mold below the leg portion 14 and the closures 40 thereon.
When the sleeve is extended, the sleeve reaches approximately the height of
the
knee of the user and is maintained in place by a cinching drawstring 42 as in
the
previous embodiment. When extended, the sleeve and foot mold portion 12
together form a continuous waterproof surface despite the leg portion being a
lighter, more breathable material.
The third embodiment differs from the previous two in that the sleeve
is contained within a single layer pocket formed by a single outer panel 44
which is
similar in configuration to the outer panel of the previous embodiments in
that the
panel is joined along its bottom edge about a full periphery of the boot to
the
exterior of the boot just below the joint of the sleeve 16 to the leg portion.
The
upper free end 46 of the panel and the exterior of the leg portion 14 spaced
above
the joint of the sleeve with the leg portion similarly include mating
fasteners 48
formed of hook and loop material as in the previous embodiments. The fasteners
48 fasten the outer panel 44 in the closed position to extend upwardly from
its
connection with the boot exterior. In the closed position, the outer panel 44
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defines a pocket between the outer panel 44 and the exterior of the boot which
receives the rolled up sleeve therein.
When the sleeve is extended an additional mating fastener 48 is
provided about a periphery of the sleeve on the exterior side thereof in
alignment
with the upper mating fastener 48 on the exterior of the leg portion so that
when
the outer panel 44 is folded to extend upwardly, the upper free edge thereof
aligns
with the mating fastener 48 on the sleeve to couple the panel to the sleeve
for a
proper finished appearance in the extended position. For ease of use, the
outer
panel 44 of the third embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that
the
annular panel forming the outer panel 44 is split at the front of the boot in
a vertical
direction. The split in the panel increases the flexibility and
manoeuvrability of the
panel to assist in folding the panel between the upwardly extending closed
position
and a downwardly extending open position in which the sleeve is fully exposed
as
well as the joint of the sleeve 16 with the leg portion 14. When in the closed
position, the split in the outer panel 44 is joined by suitable fastener, for
instance a
zipper 50 for selectively fastening the outer panel to form a continuous
annular ring
about the boot in the closed position for fully stowing the rolled up sleeve
16
therein.
Turning now to the embodiment of Figures 20 and 21, the boot 10
comprises a winter boot in which the sleeve 16 is detachable from the foot
mold
and leg portions of the boot. The sleeve in this instance is similarly joined
to the
foot mold portion at the bottom of the leg portion 14 so that the sleeve and
the foot
mold portion form a continuous waterproof surface when coupled in the extended
position of the sleeve. The sleeve is joined to the foot mold portion of the
boot by a
selectively releasable fastener, preferably a waterproof zipper 52 which
extends
about a full periphery of the boot. When the fastener is closed, a sealed
joint is
formed between the sleeve and the foot mold portion of the boot for concealing
the
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lighter weight material of the leg portion 14 within the interior of the
sleeve. The
sleeve in this instance is formed to be reversible so that both inner and
outer
surfaces of the sleeve are formed of a waterproof material and include a
printed
image 54 displayed thereon. Either of the images 54 can thus be displayed on
the
exterior of the boot by simply reversing the sleeve. The zipper 52 is arranged
for
sealably engaging the sleeve onto the foot mold portion 12 of the boot in
either
orientation of the sleeve. The sleeve in this instance also includes a
cinching
drawstring 56 at the top end thereof for cinching about the leg of the user
and for
maintaining the sleeve in the extended position.
As described above, in one embodiment, the boot 10 comprises a
winter boot has the pocket molded around the bottom part of the leg just above
the
foot mold. The pocket is to be formed around the boot. The back of the pocket
will
be made of rubber and is part of the foot mold. The outside of the pocket is
made
of fabric or material. The pocket will be two and a half inches wide and one
inch
thick. This part will have an opening pieced together with Velcro TM. The
opening
will be as the top of the pocket, and will come apart along the lip of the
pocket.
Once the flap is apart, it is to be flipped down, revealing the inside zipper
in the
middle of the pocket. It is to foilow and unzip all the way around the boot.
Once the
zipper has made a full circle and reached back to the starting point, it will
fully open
the pocket. In this pocket there is to be a 100% water-proof and/or water
resistant
sleeve. This sleeve is to be molded to the inside of the pocket, The sleeve is
to be
rolled up the leg. The sleeve will roll up to just below the knee and above
the calf
of the user. The sleeve is equipped with a toggle to securely tighten and hold
the
sleeve in place. At the bottom of the sleeve, two inches above where it is
molded
in the pocket, the sleeve has a Velcro TM strip sewn on to the sleeve. The
pocket
flap hanging down is to be lifted and fastened to the sleeve's Velcro TM;
therefore
closing to protect the zipper and inside pocket. The top of the sleeve is to
have a
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seam three quarters of an inch wide, sewn on the sleeve. This seam is a guide
to
roll the sleeve straight and equally down, before tucking the sleeve back into
the
pocket. Then closing the pocket will seal in sleeve and zipper.
Also as noted above, in one embodiment, the boot 10 comprising a
hiking shoe boot. The hiking boot will have the pocket molded around the
bottom
part of the leg, above the foot mold. The pocket is to be formed around the
boot.
The pocket will be part of the boot mold. The front of the pocket is to be
made of
fabric or material. The pocket is to be opened from the top. The pocket will
be two
inches wide and one inch thick. The opening is pieced together with Velcro TM.
At
the front of the pocket there will be a zipper. This zipper starts at the top
of the
pocket and is zipped down. The flap is then split in the front and can be
flipped
down easily. The Velcro TM holding the flap at the top of the pocket is pulled
apart
and flipped. Inside, there is a sleeve that is rolled. This sleeve is made of
100%
waterproof and/or water resistant material. The sleeve is unrolled up the leg
and a
toggle is tied just below the knee and above the calf.
The bottom of the sleeve has a Velcro TM strip that wraps around the
sleeve. This Velcro TM strip is two inches above where the sleeve is molded to
the
boot. The pocket flap which has a Velcro TM rim can then be lifted and bonded
to
the sleeve. The top of the sleeve will have a seam that is sewn in. This seam
will
be a guide to rolling down the sleeve evenly into the pocket where it is then
sealed
in.
The boots 10 will provide all who venture outdoors (regardless of
what their motives are) to remain dry at all times and seasons. There will be
no
compromising comfort and style for bulkiness or requiring two different pairs
of
footwear. With this invention users will be able to explore, and do what was
limited
before with a regular boot. User may transverse terrain, tackle streams and
puddles without having to worry about soaking and damaging their footwear The
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materials and fabrics in the boots 10 will allow you to enjoy all that
combines two
pairs of footwear (waterproof and/or water resistant and non-waterproof and/or
non-water resistant) and still have the style of a boot you prefer. What makes
this
boot waterproof and/or water resistant is concealed in the mold of the boot,
therefore making it noticeable only when needed.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same
made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such
spirit
and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting
sense.
