Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DECORATIVE COVER FOR A SHOE
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a decorative cover for a shoe. The present
invention
also relates to a method of fitting a decorative cover to a shoe.
Background of the invention
A woman, for example, may purchase a new pair of shoes to match a particular
clothing
ensemble. The shoes will typically be chosen to match a particular dress,
skirt, jacket,
or pair of pants. Notwithstanding that this process may result in a well co-
ordinated
clothing ensemble, use of the new pair of shoes may be limited to the
particular
D ensemble for which they were purchased. As such, the shoes may be forced
into early
retirement when the woman tires of the ensemble.
A lucky pair of shoes may have an extended life if the shoes can be used with
multiple
clothing ensembles. In such cases,, the life expectancy of the shoes may be.
slightly
extended. However, the woman will still likely have multiple pairs of shoes,
one for each
5 set of matching clothing ensembles.
Purchasing ,different pairs of shoes to match different clothing ensembles is
a time
consuming and expensive process.
A woman may wear a particular heel height to suit the occasion, 6.g. work,
medium size
heel and when the occasion arises to add some glamour the shoe maybe exchanged
0 with a similar pair with higher heels.
It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above
mentioned
difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.
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=
Summary of the invention
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a decorative
cover for
a shoe, including a toe section and a heel section separated by a bridging
section,
wherein the cover is at least partially resiliently expandable so that the toe
section and
the heel section resiliently bear against respective heel and toe sections of
the shoe
when the cover is fitted over the shoe. The cover includes an upper boot
section shaped
for engagement with a leg of a person wearing the shoe.
Preferably, the heel section includes an aperture shaped to receive a heel of
the shoe.
Preferably, the toe section and the heel section at least partially conform to
the shape of
respective toe and heel sections of the shoe when the cover is fitted to the
shoe.
Alternatively, for sling back or open back shoes, the wearer may pull the heel
section of
the cover upwards, such that the cover sits above the heel exposing the
wearer's bare
heel.
The cover preferably includes a sole section shaped to at least partially
engage a sole
of the shoe. The upper boot section preferably at least partially resiliently
expandable so'
as to resiliently bear against the leg of the person.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of fitting
the above described cover to a shoe, including the steps of:
(a) inserting the toe sectioh of the shoe- into a corresponding toe section
of the
cover;
(b) resiliently expanding the bridging section of the cover so that the
heel section of
the cover overlies the heel section of the shoe; and
(c) pulling the upper section of the cover up the leg of the person to the
desired
height.
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Brief description of the drawings
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way
of non-
limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
' Figure 1 is a side view of a cover for a shoe;
Figure 2 is a front view of the cover shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the cover shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side view of a prior art shoe fitted to a foot of a person;
Figure 5 is side view of the Cover shown in Figure 1 fitted to a shoe being
worn
by a person; and
Figure 6 is a side view of the cover shown in Figure 5 showing internal
features in
broken lines.
Detailed description of the embodiments
The decorative cover 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is used to change the look of
a shoe,
sandal or boot 12 to match a partiaular clothing ensemble. For example, the
look of the
shoe 12 shown in Figure 4 can be changed by fitting the cover 10 to the shoe
in the
manner shown in Figures 5 and 6. In doing so, the life expectancy of a pair of
shoes
can, advantageously, be extended. The shoe will also be protected from fabric
scuffs
and spills whilst wearing the, cover. Covers can be laundered (dry cleaned or
hand
washed).
The cover 10 is hereafter described by way of reference to the heeled ladies
shoe 12
shown in Figure 4. However, the cover 10 can be used with either an open or a
closed
toe shoe 12. Further, the cover 10 can be used with either an open or a closed
back
shoe 12.
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The cover 10 includes a toe section 14 and a heel section 16 separated by a
bridging
section 18. The cover 10 is at least partially resiliently expandable so that
the toe
section 14 and the heel section 16 resiliently bear against respective heel
and toe
sections 20, 22 of the shoe 12 when the cover is fitted over the shoe 12. The
toe section
14 and the heel section 16 at least partially conform to the shape of
respective toe and
heel sections 20, 22 of the shoe 12 when the cover 10 is fitted. The cover 10,
when
fitted, generally conforms 30 to the shape of the shoe 12.
The heel section 18 of the cover 10 includes an aperture 24 shaped to receive
a heel 26
of the shoe 12. The heel 26 of the shoe 12 extends through the aperture 24
when the
cover is fitted to the shoe 12 so that the heel engages a floor or ground
surface (not
shown). Consequently, the heel section 16 of the cover 10 is raised above the
floor or
ground surface. The heel section may also include a heel insert 25 arranged to
frictionally engage the heel section 22 of the shoe 12 in manner shown in
Figure 6. The
heel insert 25 inhibits unintentional movement between the heel section 18 of
the cover
, 10 and the heel section 22 of the shoe 12. In an alternative embodiment not
shown, for
sling back or open back shoes, the wearer may pull the heel section 22
upwards, such
that the cover 10 sits above the wearer's heel, exposing the wearers bare
heel. An
accessory, such as a clip, could be added to the centre front cover securing
the cover to
expose the wearer's bare heel.
The cover also includes a sole section 28 shaped to at least partially engage
a sole 30
of the shoe 12. The sole section 28 is adapted to frictionally engage both the
sole 30 of
the shoe 12 and the floor or ground surface. The sole section 28 is preferably
made of
rubber. The sole section 28 preferably provides a non-slip interface between
the shoe
= and the floor or ground surface. The sole section 28 is preferably glued
to the toe
section 14 and the bridging section 18.
The cover 10 is preferably shaped to provide an alternative covering for any
shoe or
boot.
The cover 10 additionally includes an upper boot section 32 which converts a
low cut
dress shoe, sandal or boot 12 into a long boot. The upper boot section 32 is
generally
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tubular and shaped for engagement with a leg 34 of a person wearing the shoe
12. The
upper boot section 32 at least partially resiliently expandable so 30 as to
resiliently bear
against the leg 34 of the person, Making the cover multi-sized to suit a broad
range of
calf sizes. The upper boot section 32 can be arranged to extend different
lengths along
5 the leg 34 of the person. As such, the height of the boot can be adjusted
to suit the
desired look. The cover 10 preferably includes a zip (not shown) or lacing in
a non
stretch fabric such as leather or sheep skin extending along the upper boot
section 32
from the heel section 16. The upper boot section 32 is preferably lined.
The cover 10 is fitted to the shoe 12 by performing the following steps:
(a) inserting the toe section 20 of the shoe 12 into a corresponding toe
section 14 of
the cover 10;
(b) resiliently expanding the bridging section 18 of the cover 10 so .that
the heel
section 16 of the cover 10 overlies heel section 22 of the shoe 12; and
(c) pulling the upper section 32 of the cover 10 up the leg 34 of the
person to the
= 15 desired height.
The cover 10 is preferably made of an at least partially resiliently
expandable material.
Alternatively, the cover 10 is made of leather. The cover 10 is preferably
made of a
water proof material, also protecting from spills and scuffs; in sheepskin,
leather or vinyl
and like fabric, a zip or eyelets will be required.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be
taken as, an
acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior. art forms part of the
common
general knowledge in Australia. =
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this
specification
extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual
features
mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different
combinations
constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
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List of Parts
Cover for a shoe
12 Shoe
14 Toe section of cover
16 Heel section of cover
18 - Bridging section of cover
Toe section of shoe
22 Heel section of shoe
24 Aperture for heel of the shoe
26 Heel of shoe
28 Sole section of cover
Sole of shoe
32 Upper section of cover
34 Leg of a person
