CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US provisional application Ser. No.

61/942,241, filed on February 20, 2014 and entitled BOOT WITH DRAINING

STORAGE FEATURE, of US provisional application Ser. No. 61/976,643 filed on April 08, 2014 and entitled BOOT WITH DRAINING STORAGE FEATURE, and of US provisional application Ser. No. 62/057,070, filed on September 29, 2014 and entitled BOOT WITH DRAINING STORAGE FEATURE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to footwear and, more particularly but not exclusively, to using an element/compartment attached to the footwear for carrying/holding and draining wet items such as an umbrella.

BACKGROUND

A wet umbrella may represent a discomfort to its user, especially after a rain being over, so that putting the wet umbrella (or another wet item) into a bag where the "dry" umbrella was carried/stored before the rain started may be undesirable. Also the user may get wet by carrying the wet umbrella by hand.

SUMMARY

Various deficiencies in the prior art are addressed by an apparatus configured to be attached to footwear, or footwear constructed or modified according to embodiments disclosed herein.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a footwear, comprising: a regular footwear having a foot portion and an upper portion at least partially covering a leg; and an element secured to the upper portion of the regular footwear and used for holding and draining one or more wet items without wetting the leg and inside of the regular footwear.

According further to the first aspect of the invention, the element may be an outer compartment configured to be attached at least to the upper portion. Further, the outer compartment may be an integral part of the footwear and permanently attached to the regular footwear. Still further, the outer compartment may be permanently attached to the regular footwear by an adhesive or by stitching. Yet further, the outer compartment attached to the regular footwear may be removable. Yet still further, the outer compartment may be attachable at least to the upper portion of the regular footwear using a properly oriented strap or a VELCRO/VELCRO-like strip.

Still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the outer compartment may comprise a drainage mechanism for any item placed in the outer compartment. The drainage mechanism may include one or more of: using the outer compartment made of a mesh material allowing a water or moisture to pass through, using holes in the outer compartment allowing water or moisture to pass through, and using the outer compartment made of a water-resistant or waterproof material with holes on a bottom of the outer compartment allowing a water or moisture to pass through.

According still further to the first aspect of the invention, the outer compartment may be located on a right, left or rear side of the upper portion of the regular footwear. Further, the footwear may further comprise a re-enforcing flexible pad between the outer compartment and at least the upper portion of the regular footwear. Still further, the outer compartment can be made of a vinyl, rubber, leather or

SPANDEX/SPANDEX-like material.

According yet further still to the first aspect of the invention, the outer compartment can be converted to a collapsed state toward a wall of the outer portion of the regular footwear using one mechanism of a plurality of predefined mechanisms. Further, the plurality of predefined mechanisms can comprise at least one of multiple approaches including: the outer compartment being made of a SPANDEX or

SPANDEX-like material collapsing to said wall when said outer compartment is empty due to an integrated spring mechanism of the SPANDEX or SPANDEX-like material, a storage strap being built within the footwear to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state, using internal fasteners or snaps to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state, and using a zipper configured, when in a closed state, to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state.

Yet still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the outer compartment may have a rigid or semi-rigid back portion facing the regular footwear. Further, the outer compartment can be configured to be adjustably or permanently attached at a predefined angle or in a predefined angle range relative to a vertical axis of the upper portion of the regular footwear. Still further, the outer compartment may comprise a pocket having a funnel shape.

Still yet further according to the first aspect of the invention, the element may be a receiving outer element configured to receive an umbrella having an attaching element for a direct attachment of the umbrella to the receiving outer element. Further, the direct attachment with the umbrella can be provided using properly oriented straps, zippers or

VELCRO/VELCRO-like strips.

Still further still according to the first aspect of the invention, the one or more wet items may comprise an umbrella. Further, the regular footwear can be a rain boot.

According further still to the first aspect of the invention, the element may be a pocket having an elongated shape.

According yet further still to the first aspect of the invention, the element may be an inner compartment implemented as a pocket made of a waterproof material and secured inside of the regular footwear using a watertight seal. Further, an outer skin of the regular footwear may comprise a corresponding opening for inserting the one or more wet items into the pocket. Still further, the outer skin of the regular footwear can comprise one or more drain holes in order to drain water from a bottom of the pocket.

Yet still further, the footwear may comprise a drainage tube inside of the regular footwear with a first end of the drainage tube being originated at a bottom of the pocket and a second end of the drainage tube being passed through a sole of the regular footwear.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an attachment kit, comprising: a pocket for holding and draining one or more wet items and configured to be attached at least to an upper portion of a regular footwear, the regular footwear having a foot portion and the upper portion at least partially covering a leg, so that when a wet item is placed into the attached pocket, the wet item is drained without wetting the leg and inside of the regular footwear.

According further to the second aspect of the invention, the pocket may comprise an attaching element for attachment of the pocket at least to the upper portion.

Further according to the second aspect of the invention, the attaching element can be a properly oriented strap, a zipper or a VELCRO/VELCRO-like strip.

Still further according to the second aspect of the invention, the attachment kit may be configured for a left or right regular footwear. Further according to the third aspect of the invention, a method, comprising: providing an attachment kit comprising a pocket for holding and draining one or more wet items; and attaching the pocket at least to an upper portion of regular footwear, the regular footwear having a foot portion and the upper portion at least partially covering a leg, so that when a wet item is placed into the pocket, the wet item is drained without wetting the leg and inside of the regular footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures la and lb are views demonstrating a concept of modified footwear using attached outer compartment with draining capability secured to original footwear according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a view of modified footwear with an inserted umbrella, according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 is a view of a modified footwear with an inserted umbrella and showing bottom holes in the outer compartment providing a drainage mechanism, according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 is a view of a modified footwear showing the inner side of an outer compartment/pocket adjoining an original footwear being fabricated using a thicker material, according to an embodiment;

Figures 5a and 5b are views of modified footwear demonstrating a concept of a pocket collapsing, according to an embodiment;

Figure 6 is a view of modified footwear further demonstrating a concept of a pocket collapsing, according to an embodiment;

Figures 7a and 7b are views of modified footwear demonstrating a concept of a storage strap, according to an embodiment;

Figures 8a and 8b are views of modified footwear demonstrating a concept of a zippered outer covering for storage compartment pocket, according to an embodiment;

Figure 9 is a view of a modified footwear demonstrating a concept of an upper portion strap for receiving a pocket kit, according to an embodiment; and Figures 10a and 10b are views of modified footwear demonstrating a concept of an inner compartment/pocket, according to an embodiment.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are discussed within the context of an apparatus for securing one or more wet items, such as a wet collapsed or retracted umbrella, to a user's footwear to allow the wet item to drain thereby without discomfort to the user. Various embodiments contemplate an apparatus configured to be removably or permanently attachable to footwear. Various embodiments contemplate footwear constructed and/or modified to integrate therein the apparatus. Thus, each of the embodiments described herein may be implemented as an apparatus removably or permanently attachable to footwear, or as footwear so constructed or modified. As such, the specific language used to describe any embodiment should be construed as describing either of an apparatus according to the embodiment as well as footwear modified according to an embodiment.

Various embodiments contemplate an elongated compartment configured to receive and hold an umbrella in a vertical orientation such that the length of the collapsed umbrella is secured comfortably along the lower leg of a user.

Modifications of a footwear (leg wear) and corresponding application methods are presented for using an outer/inner element/compartment attached to the footwear for carrying/holding and draining wet items such as an umbrella. According to an embodiment, a modified footwear may comprise a regular footwear (such as a rain boot) having a foot portion and an upper portion at least partially covering a leg, and an outer/inner element attached at least to the upper portion of the regular footwear and used for holding and draining one or more items (such as folded umbrella) without wetting the leg and inside of the regular footwear (i.e., without introduction of moisture inside of the footwear).

The outer element can be implemented as an outer compartment, e.g., having an elongated shape, and configured to be attached to the upper portion of the footwear permanently (using glue adhesive, stitching, and/or the like) or a removable outer compartment (e.g., attached using a strap, multiple snaps, a zipper, a VELCRO/VELCRO-like strip, and/or the like).

Figure la illustrates a general concept of modified footwear 10 using the outer element/compartment 16, according to an embodiment. The modified footwear 10 comprises an original footwear (e.g., rain boot) having a foot portion 12 and an upper portion 14, and an outer compartment (pocket) 16 having a provision for drainage (as further described herein) and attached at least to the upper portion 14. A wet item such as an umbrella 18 can be inserted in the outer compartment 16a of the modified footwear as further demonstrated in Figure 2 for modified footwear 10a.

As shown in Figure la, the outer compartment 16 having an elongated shape is attached to the regular footwear such that its vertical axis coincides with a vertical axis 11 of the upper portion of the regular footwear. However, according to an embodiment described herein, the vertical axis of the outer compartment 16 may be different than the axis 11. For example, the compartment (pocket) 16 may be rotated by a predefined angle or within a predefined angle range 15 relative to the axis 1 1 (i.e., adjustably or permanently attached to the original footwear) such that the compartment/pocket 16 may have a new axis 1 la as shown in Figure lb. The angle 15 generally may be a relatively small angle (e.g., in a range of 5-30 degrees) which can be chosen by the user for providing comfort but still providing an adequate drainage of the moisture from the item such as umbrella using gravitation forces. Also the angle 15 may be adjustable for removable outer compartments using a corresponding provision (e.g., using larger size VECRO strips). In other words, the orientation of the pocket 16 may be advantageously adjusted for purposes of functionality, style and convenience.

Furthermore, the footwear may be a boot (rain boot), or a leg wear such as a gaiter, having an outer compartment attached and adapted to allow for storing and carrying wet items, such as folding umbrellas and the like, in a manner avoiding the introduction of moisture into an inner compartment of the footwear or of the leg wear. Various embodiments outlined herein further describe procedures for drainage of wet items placed in the outer compartment of the footwear or leg wear. Moreover, the outer (storage) compartment may be located on any side of the footwear/leg wear for example on the left, right or rear side of the upper portion of the footwear/leg wear.

The outer (storage) compartment may be manufactured using any one of a variety of materials including vinyl, rubber, leather, SPANDEX/SPANDEX-like or any other appropriate synthetic or natural material. In one embodiment, the materials utilized to form the outer compartment can be waterproof or water resistant and have an ability to expel water via some drainage mechanism. The drainage means may comprise holes (e.g., holes on the bottom of the outer compartment or elsewhere within the outer compartment) or some other drainage mechanisms especially added to or formed therein with the outer compartment. For example, the bottom of the pocket can be completely open. In this scenario, the umbrella or another wet object may be prevented from falling through the open bottom by having a suitable taper in the pocket such that the cross- sectional dimension of the wet object on the bottom of the pocket being larger than the bottom opening of the pocket. Other means such as obstructing protrusions can also be provided to prevent the umbrella from falling out of the bottom of the pocket.

According to another embodiment, the inner element/compartment can be implemented as a pocket made of a waterproof material and secured inside of the regular footwear (boot) using a watertight seal. An outer skin of the regular footwear may comprise a corresponding opening for inserting the one or more wet items into the pocket (inner element/compartment). In addition, the outer skin of the regular footwear may comprise one or more drain holes in order to drain water from a bottom of the pocket. Figures 10a and 10b presented below demonstrate a non-limiting example of such arrangement._The inner pocket material can be produced from a variety of waterproof materials such SU BRELLA produced by Glen Raven, Inc. 1831 North Park Avenue, Glen Raven, NC 27217. Other similar readily available materials can be also used. The pocket fabricated from this type of material can be attached at its edges to the inside of the boot using a waterproof adhesive such as 3M 5200 or 4200 waterproof adhesive sealant.

Figure 3 shows an example of a modified footwear 10b where the bottom 17 of the outer compartment (pocket) 16b has holes 20 providing the drainage mechanism. It is noted that a solid or un-punched bottom portion shown in Figure 3 of the pocket may be molded along with the walls of the pocket (with or without integration with the boot) 16b. In this manner, holes 20 may be punched into the bottom portion later to provide appropriate drainage. Alternatively, the holes 20 may be punched or formed in the material at the time of manufacture. In the case of a pocket formed of a mesh or otherwise non-watertight material, smaller holes or perhaps no holes at all may be satisfactory to provide adequate drainage. Thus, alternatively, the drainage mechanism may be inherent to the material used for the outer compartment, such as a SPANDEX, SPANDEX-like or other mesh (serial) materials allowing water/moisture to pass therethrough.

Furthermore, the outer (storage) compartment according to various embodiments may comprise a preformed storage compartment accessory (e.g., to accommodate the umbrella) manufactured of a formable material that would allow for the preformed storage compartment to be attached to the footwear (boot). Also, the preformed storage compartment can be made from a material drainable directly through the walls of the compartment or through the bottom (i.e., having porous or permeable materials). By expelling the water from the outer/ storage compartment, the user would be able to conveniently carry and store items such as umbrellas without carrying them by hand and without getting wet or causing the inside of a pocketbook, carrying bag or briefcase to become wet.

According to further embodiments, the outer compartment may be provided in a variety of sizes from low to high boot size depending on a user's need, intended functionality of the outer compartment and/or its style intent. The outer (storage) compartments may also be provided in adult sizes, children's sizes and the like, and in a variety of colors, patterns and textures to suit the aesthetic and/or functional requirements of the footwear/leg wear.

As described herein, one embodiment anticipates a removable outer/storage compartment, such as the outer/storage compartment removable from the regular footwear or a storage compartment removable from an accessory (kit) intended to be attached to the footwear/leg wear. In this case the storage compartment would operate in the same way as the permanently attached storage compartment.

According to another embodiment, the outer (storage) compartment can have a rigid or semi-rigid back side facing the upper portion of the regular footwear. The outer material (for the outer compartment) may be manufactured from a semi-rigid flexible material so that the water can drain through that material. Alternatively, the fixed or removable outer compartment may be manufactured from a rigid material. The rigid material may be then adapted to enable liquid draining through the bottom of the storage compartment (e.g., using bottom hole/holes).

According to a further embodiment, a re-enforcing flexible pad between the outer compartment 16 and at least the upper portion of the regular footwear 14 (see Figure la) may be secured (e.g., using adhesive to glue the re-enforcing flexible pad to the corresponding area of the upper portion of the regular footwear, stitching can be also used instead of or in addition to gluing) before attaching the outer compartment 16 to the upper portion 14 of the regular footwear using the re-enforcing flexible pad for that attaching. In Figure 1 the reinforcing flexible pad can be located (not being visible) under the attached outer compartment 16.

The above modification using the re-enforcing flexible pad can provide a mechanism where a contact between the boot and leg may be reduced to promote comfort (e.g., reduce any indentations on calf or other portions of the leg) and/or aesthetics (i.e., provide "tactical" or other design flourish). The re-enforcing flexible pad may be constructed of rubber, vinyl or other suitable material, and may be located under the draining material or in other locations. The re-enforcing flexible pad may have a thickness chosen based on a desired level of comfort, function and aesthetics. The re- enforcing flexible pad may be attached to a boot with adhesive and/or with various fasteners. In some embodiments, the draining material (e.g., SPANDEX, SPANDEX- like or similar) may itself be attached to the re-enforcing flexible pad.

In a further embodiments, such as one demonstrated in Figure 4 showing a modified footwear 10c, the inner side of the pocket 16c adjoining the boot may be fabricated using a thicker material 22 which can be molded into the geometry of the boot or added as a separately fabricated piece to the boot as described herein. Thus a relatively thicker inner wall portion 22 of the pocket 16c can be configured to be secured to the outer wall of the footwear 10c, whereas a relatively thin inner wall portion 24 shown in Figure 4 of the pocketl6c is configured to extend or deploy outward to enable the pocket to receive an umbrella or other wet items.

According to further embodiments, it is anticipated that the outer compartment may be converted to a collapsed state wherein an outer portion of the outer compartment (i.e., the portion away from the user's leg or footwear) is urged toward an inner portion of the outer compartment (i.e., the portion nearest the user's leg or footwear) via one or more of a plurality of predefined collapsing mechanisms suitable for this purpose. The predefined mechanism can be at least one of the following approaches including (but not limited to):

a) the outer compartment being made of a SPANDEX or SPANDEX-like material collapsing to the footwear wall when the outer compartment is empty due to an integrated spring mechanism of the SPANDEX or

SPANDEX-like material,

b) a storage strap being built within the footwear to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state,

c) using internal fasteners or snaps to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state, and

d) using a zipper configured, when in a closed state, to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state.

The various embodiments described herein in reference to a collapsible pocket for receiving an umbrella are further described herein and demonstrated in Figures 5a, 5b and 6-7a, 7b. Specifically, various embodiments anticipate a pocket 16d of modified footwear lOd in Figure 5a made out of a flexible material and holding the umbrella 18 may be collapsed via an integrated spring mechanism or a storage strap. The integrated spring mechanism applies a force to the material/fabric of the pocket 16d when the umbrella 18 is removed from the pocket 16d, such that it collapses into a shape 16e, i.e., fit snugly against the outer wall of the footwear lOd, as shown in Figure 5b. Figure 6 shows more clearly the magnified view of the pocket 16d in the collapsed state 16e (as shown in Figure 5b). It is further noted that the pocket 16d may be molded separately and attached to a boot after the manufacture of the boot, or formed integrally to the boot with its walls predisposed to fold as indicated in Figure 6.

Thus, the integrated spring mechanism may comprise an active/elastic fabric such as SPANDEX and the like which naturally returns to a non-deployed position, or a non-active/non-elastic fabric such as leather or vinyl wherein a built-in spring mechanism returns the pocket to a secure position. The pocket may also include integrated internal snaps or other fasteners which may be engaged to collapse the pocket when not in use as further demonstrated in Figure 7 and discussed below.

The various embodiments described herein may be further modified with the addition of a storage strap 26 on modified footwear lOe, integrated into the boot design as indicated in Figures 7a and 7b. Specifically, the storage strap 26 may be attached to the boot (original footwear) during initial production or via subsequent installation. In one embodiment, the strap is flexibly secured at a first point and removably secured at a second point, wherein the strap may be securely fastened around either of the left side or the right side of the footwear (boot). As such, in a "secure" mode of operation (see Figure 7 a), the strap 26 can be used to secure the side of the boot including the umbrella holding pocket 16f and/or other functional elements as shown in Figure 7a. Similarly, in a "deployed" mode of operation (see Figure 7b), the strap 26 is stored or secured to the other side of the boot, i.e., the side not including the umbrella holding pocket 16f and/or other functional elements. In other embodiments, the strap can comprise a fixed or elastic strap. In another embodiment, the strap may be secured using any of a VELCRO (or VELCRO-like) fastening mechanism, a snap mechanism, a belt mechanism and so on. The strap 26 may be entirely removable or it may be integrated with the footwear. In various embodiments, the strap may be secured on both sides of the footwear and is formed from an elastic material, wherein the strap is simply moved above or below the umbrella holding pocket and/or functional elements to allow deployment of these elements.

Figures 8a and 8b shows views of modified footwear demonstrating a concept of a zippered outer covering (storage zipper) for storage compartment pocket, according to an embodiment. In Figure 8a, modified footwear 1 Of comprises an outer compartment 16g attached to the waterproof footwear/boot and having a zipper 32. As shown the zipper 32 is open and an umbrella 18 is inserted in the outer pocket 16g. When the umbrella 18 is removed from the pocket 16g, the zipper 32 is closed to collapse the pocket 16g. Also Figure 8b shows that the bottom 17a of the pocket (or pocket cover) 16g is open to allow water to drain as discussed herein. Alternatively or in addition, the pocket 16g can be made from a porous material to allow water to escape.

Furthermore, in various embodiments described herein, the pocket may be formed with a completely or partially open bottom. The shape of this pocket can be designed with a tapered cross section (funnel shape) such that the bottom end of the pocket is small enough to retain the umbrella or other object and prevent its falling out. Thus a pocket formed as a tapered cylindrical piece or element can be bonded to the side of a rain boot or other footwear.

Other means might be employed to retain objects within the pocket such as ridges or other inside projections. With such an arrangement, water would drain through the open bottom of the pocket which would be partially occluded by the bottom end of the object within. Such a design would also include various embodiments where the pocket may be relatively short in length and/or made up of one or more segments aligned with each other but separated such that it appears to be a series of straps holding the umbrella rather than a continuous, uninterrupted pocket.

According to a further embodiment, a kit may be provided separate from the original boots/footwear to allow customers to retrofit their boots/footwear to securely include an external pocket (outer compartment) such as described herein. Customer boots may be of any style (e.g., WELLINGTON) of any material (e.g., leather, rubber, vinyl) and may be decorated with a variety of patterns/colors. Kits can be provided in different lengths and diameters to accommodate various boot lengths and/or umbrella sizes. The kit can be supplied with suitable attachment means, such as adhesive/ hook/loop style strips (e.g., VELCRO/VELCRO-like), adhesive means, elastic means, snaps, buttons, buckles and the like. In the case of a VELCRO-type arrangement, one half of the strip may be factory attached to the pocket/compartment wherein the customer/user may be instructed to remove a strip from the back of the mating hook/pile piece and press it onto the side, back, or front of their boot. Another arrangement can comprise a loop or clip which fastens the pocket to existing decorative buckles often seen on such boots. In this manner, the wearer/user may store the attachable pocket/compartment in their purse or briefcase along with a compact umbrella, and be able to deploy the pocket/umbrella when needed.

According to a further embodiment a kit is contemplated that may be used for either a left boot or a right boot. An example of a boot upper portion 28 with a strap 30 suitable for use in receiving a pocket kit is demonstrated in Figure 9.

In another embodiment, an umbrella equipped with suitable attachment means such as a properly oriented VELCRO (VELCRO-like) strip or straps may be directly attached to the side of a rain boot without any pocket.

Figures 10a and 10b illustrate a non-limiting example of modified footwear 40 demonstrating a concept of an inner compartment/pocket, according to an embodiment.

In Figure 10a, the modified footwear 40 comprises an inner pocket

(element/compartment) 42 which is implemented as a pocket inside of the original footwear/boot 41. The pocket is made of a waterproof material and secured inside of the regular boot using a watertight seal. An outer skin of the boot41 may comprise a corresponding opening 44 for inserting the one or more wet items into the pocket. In addition, the outer skin of the regular boot 41 comprises drain holes 46 in order to drain water from a bottom of the inner pocket 42. An outline of the pocket 44 secured to inside of the regular boot 41 is shown as a contour 48.

Figure 10b shows the modified footwear /boot 40 with the umbrella 18 inserted inside of the inner pocket 44. Drain holes 46 with eyelets are used for draining the pocket 44 from the water/moisture from the wet umbrella 18. In an alternative approach a drainage tube can be attached on the inside of the boot having one end originated at the bottom of the pocket and the other end passing right through the sole of the boot, e.g., at the arch. The drainage tube, passing through the sole, is sealed in order to prevent ingress of water/moisture around the tube inside the footwear. This approach would allow for a completely hidden drainage mechanism.

Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. Thus, while the foregoing is directed to various embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. As such, the appropriate scope of the invention is to be determined according to the claims.

In describing alternate embodiments of the apparatus claimed, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. Thus, it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

It is noted that various non-limiting embodiments described herein may be used separately, combined or selectively combined for specific applications.

Further, some of the various features of the above non-limiting embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other described features. The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.