[0001] This patent application for a utility model concerns a waterproof bag for protecting
shoes worn over the shoe.
[0002] It is common knowledge that wearing shoes on surfaces with rainwater, snow or mud
will damage the upper very evidently and irreversibly, in particular light shoes made
of cloth or velvet leather are badly damaged under conditions of this kind.
[0003] Everyone knows that shoes are damaged in this way when rain, snow or muddy conditions
occur unexpectedly, namely when the user finds him or herself in unexpected environmental
or weather conditions.
[0004] It is evident in fact that if bad weather is expected people will wear heavy or waterproof
shoes.
[0005] It was on the basis of the above considerations that the bag made of waterproof cloth
according to the invention having the approximate shape of a shoe, was designed; the
same is extremely useful for protecting shoes in the case of unexpected bad weather
conditions.
[0006] The item in question is very light, small and easy to fold as well as being sturdy
and inexpensive; a pair of these bags may easily be purchased by anyone - and more
importantly - may be carried as a precaution even if there is the slightest doubt
that weather and environmental conditions may be bad.
[0007] In particular, its light and small structure makes it possible to carry the bag in
question in a bag, briefcase, knapsack or even in a pocket.
[0008] Moreover, the bag in question is easy to put on thanks to the fact that the same
is provided with a longitudinal front opening in proximity of the shoe upper fitted
with laces; means for tying the opening are quite naturally provided once the bag
in question is worn over the shoe.
[0009] These means may consist either of a zipper, a pull off fastener, laces or buttons.
[0010] It should also be noted that the mouth of the bag - namely in proximity of the heel
- is provided with a collar having an elastic band or lace to tie the bag against
the leg in order to prevent the entry of humidity in this area as well.
[0011] In order to make the bag more efficient and sturdy, the bag is provided with rubber
inserts on the tip and sole.
[0012] According to the same inventive idea it is moreover provided that the item in question
may be manufactured in many different versions which may be adapted to different requirements,
namely for men's, ladies' and children's shoes, high or low shoes, and for shoes with
or without heel.
[0013] For major clarity the description of the invention continues with reference to the
enclosed drawings which are intended for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting
sense, whereby:
- figure 1 is an axonometric view of the bag according to the invention showing a version
for shoes without heel;
- figure 2 is similar to the previous figure but shows a version designed for boots;
- figure 3 is similar to the previous figures but shows a version for shoes with high
heels;
- figure 4 is an axonometric bottom view of the bag in figure 1 showing a version provided
with rubber covering over the sole;
- figure 5 is similar to the preivous figure but shows a version of the bag according
to the invention provided with rubber covering only on the shoe tip and heel areas.
[0014] With reference to figure 1, the item according to the invention consists of a bag
made of waterproof cloth (1) designed to be worn over shoes, and accordingly shaped
approximately like a shoe; in particular, in the case of the model in figure 1 showing
the version for shoes without heel, the bottom wall (2) is completely flat.
[0015] The same applies to the bag model (la) shown in figure 2 whose height is superior
to that of the first model (1) in that the same is designed for boots.
[0016] The bag model (1b) in figure 3, which is designed for shoes with heel, is provided
at the bottom with a back section (2a) which is separated and quite distinct from
the front section (2b) of the bag; in particular, this section (2a) is expressly designed
to house the heel of the shoe.
[0017] It should be noted that all three versions of the bag (1) in question are provided
- in the area covering the shoe upper - with a deep front opening (4) whose edges
are sealed by a zipper (4a) in the case of the models shown in figures 1 and 3, and
by two pull-off fasteners (4b) in the case of the model shown in figure 2.
[0018] Moreover, the bag (1) in question is provided with a collar (5) at its mouth in order
to tie the bag once it has been fitted over the shoe.
[0019] With particular reference to figure 4, showing a sturdier version, the bag (1) in
question could be provided with a rubber sole (6) over the entire treading surface.
[0020] With particular reference to figure 5, the bag (1) could also be made in a version
provided with rubber tip (7) and heel (8) which not only cover the corresponding "upper"
section but also a brief section of the treading surface at the two longitudinal ends.
1. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes characterised in that it consists of a bag (1)
made of thin waterproof cloth shaped approximately like a shoe and provided at the
front with a deep longitudinal closable opening (4) as well as a perimeter collar
(5) along the mouth:
2. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes according to claim 1), characterised by a zipper
(4a) provided along the edges of the above longitudinal front opening (4).
3. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes according to claim 1), characterised by two
pull-off strips (4b) provided along the edges of the above longitudinal front opening
(4).
4. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes according to claim 1), characterised in that
the treading surface is provided externally and internally with a rubber sole (6).
5. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes according to claim 1), characterised by a tip
(7) and a heel (8) both made of rubber, which may also cover the ends of the treading
surface.
6. A waterproof bag for protecting shoes according to the previous claims characterised,
in a preferred embodiment, in that the bottom wall is provided with a back section
(2a), separated and distinct from the front flat section (2b).