Debris exclusion garment for use with footwear

The present invention relates to a garment adapted to be worn on the lower leg or ankle, which prevents the ingress of debris into an article of footwear such as a shoe or boot by covering the apertures into which the debris may enter.

Background of the Invention Foreign bodies or debris entering footwear can be ^• problematic, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities such as running, hiking or walking over uneven terrain, taking part in outdoor sports or working outdoors where there are often loose stones, dirt and other debris. It is common when engaging in such activities to find that debris enters footwear through either the entry aperture for the foot or through the lacing system area (either via the eyelets through which the laces slot or between the tongue of the shoe and the eyelets) . The presence of debris inside the footwear can lead to discomfort, reduced sporting performance and may potentially lead to the development of lesions or

abrasions, particularly when a medical pathology or disease is present.

One option that is often utilised by hill walkers and hikers to prevent the ingress of debris into footwear is to use a gaiter. A gaiter typically takes the form of a covering for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, which is worn over a shoe or boot. Whilst a gaiter does provide a certain level of protection from debris, it is typically a very bulky garment due to the need for it to be positioned over the entry aperture for the foot then extend upwards .

Alternatively, a long sock adapted to be folded back down upon itself can be used to fold down over the top of a boot or shoe. An example of this type of sock or stocking which is being used as a gaiter is described in US6651257. However, when walking, or even more so when partaking in more vigorous exercise, the sock is prone to rolling up off the shoe allowing debris to easily enter. Furthermore, on certain shoes such as running shoes it is in fact extremely difficult to roll a sock down far enough for it to act as an effective barrier for any significant period of time.

The present invention identifies the drawbacks of the conventional products used to overcome the problem of debris entering footwear, and proposes a garment which mitigates one or more of the limitations previously described.

The aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description.

Throughout this document the term footwear can be taken to mean shoes, boots, athletic trainers, specialist sport shoes etc.

Summary of the Invention

The current invention provides a garment, typically in the form of a sock or sleeve which can be worn on the ankle, which has been adapted to include an apron section. The apron is provided with securing means which enable it to be securely attached to an article of footwear that is also being worn. Advantageously, when it is in use the apron fastens over the top of and around the rear section of the footwear, covering the apertures through which debris could enter whilst providing a relatively smooth, non-bulky profile. Furthermore, the apron will remain in position over the apertures even during vigorous exercise.

According to the present invention there is provided a garment comprising a sleeve adapted to be worn on the lower leg, and a debris exclusion apron attached circumferentially to the sleeve, wherein the debris exclusion apron comprises means for releasably securing the apron to an article of footwear such that one or more apertures on the article of footwear are covered by the apron.

The apron extends generally outwards and downwards from where it is attached to the sleeve, such that it can cover apertures on an article of footwear which is also being worn. As the apron is secured to the shoe during use it covers the apertures and advantageously does not

get dislodged or roll off the apertures during activities such as walking, running etc.

Preferably the sleeve is closed at one end.

A closed end sleeve takes the form of a traditional sock which would be worn with an article of footwear, negating the need for a separate sock.

Alternatively the sleeve can be open ended.

An open ended sleeve can be worn around the ankle allowing a user to wear a separate sock if required.

Preferably the debris exclusion apron is provided with a plurality of means for releasably securing the apron to an article of footwear.

Optionally the means for releasably securing the apron to an article of footwear comprises one or more hooks adapted to attach to a lace present on an article of footwear.

Providing a hook which attaches to the lace allows the apron to be secured over the lacing system area.

Another option is that the means for releasably securing the apron to an article of footwear comprises one or more hooks adapted to attach to an eyelet present on an article of footwear.

A further option is that the means for releasably securing the apron to an article of footwear comprises

one or more bands which are attached to the apron and which are adapted to pass under the article of footwear.

Preferably the bands are attached to the apron on the medial side and on the lateral side.

Optionally the apron is provided with one or more loops of material extending from the apron through which a band can pass to be secured to the apron.

Another option is that the apron is provided with one or more apertures through which a band can pass.

Preferably the bands are elastic. ^■

Most preferably the band is a closed loop.

Using a band in the form of a loop which is secured medially and laterally to the apron allows two sections of the loop to pass under the article of footwear thus providing further stability.

Preferably the band is held in the form of a loop by a releasable gripping means adapted to hold two sections of a band together.

Preferably the releasable gripping means is a clip.

Forming the band into a loop using a releasable clip allows the band to be easily replaced and also allows the size of the loop to be adjusted easily.

Preferably the bands are at least partially provided with a protective sheath.

The protective sheath helps to protect the bands from breakage, particularly in the area that is adapted to pass under the article of footwear which will be subject to significant stress and abrasion.

Preferably the garment is constructed from a woven or knitted material.

Optionally the sleeve and debris exclusion apron are formed from the same material.

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will be described by way of example only and with reference to the following figures in which;

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a side view of a garment according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagram showing a side view of the garment in use on a shoe; and

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an alternative embodiment of a garment according to the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a rear view of an embodiment of the invention.

As generally depicted in Figure 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a debris exclusion

garment 1 which takes the form of a sock 2. The sock 2 has both a foot section 4 which completely encompasses a wearer's foot, and an ankle section 5 to which a debris exclusion apron 3 is attached. The debris exclusion apron 3 is in the form of a collar which is sewn to the sock 2 part way down the ankle section 5. The apron 3 is shaped so that it overlaps a portion of the sock 2 below the point at which the debris exclusion apron 3 is attached to the sock 2. In the preferred embodiment both the sock 2 and the apron 3 are formed from the same woven material, however it can be envisaged that the sock 2 and apron 3 could be formed by different materials if required.

Although in the preferred embodiment the apron 3 is sewn to the sock 2, other mechanical means of attachment could be used such as weaving. Alternatively, or in addition, the apron 3 may be attached to the sock 2 using adhesive or chemical bonding or using non chemical methods such as ultrasonic welding. A further alternative is that the apron 3 and sock 2 are made from the same material for example where the apron 3 is a woven or knitted extension of the sock 2.

The debris exclusion apron 3 is provided with a hook 6 positioned towards the outer edge of the apron 3. In use, the hook 6 is positioned substantially over the top (dorsum) of a wearer's foot as can be seen most clearly in figure 2 where the debris exclusion garment 1 is in use on a running shoe 10. In the preferred embodiment, the hook 6 is attached to the underside of a strengthened section 13 which extends from the apron 3 to prevent undue strain being placed upon the woven material of the

apron 3. The curvature of the hook 6 is such that a lace 11 can be held in the curve. In use, the hook 6 is hooked around a lace 11 on the shoe 10 such that the apron 3 is pulled out taut over the dorsum of the shoe 10 thus covering much of the lacing area and acting as a barrier to debris entry.

In addition to the hook 6, the debris exclusion garment 1 is also provided with a strap 8 which can be passed under an article of footwear in use. The preferred version of the strap 8, as can be seen most clearly in figure 4 is a circular band formed by a loop of elastic cord the ends of which are gripped and securely held together by a clip 12. The strap 8 is secured at the medial and lateral sides of the apron 3 by passing it through loops 7 provided at the edges of the apron 3. One or both sections of the strap 8 which extend between the secured points can then be positioned under the shoe 10 during use, which acts to hold the edges of the apron 3 down over the aperture of the shoe 10 into which the foot is placed. If required, the length of the strap 8 can be adjusted by altering the position of the clip 12. It is also very easy to replace a broken strap 8 simply by (i) removing the clip 12, (ii) disposing of the broken strap 8, (iii) attaching a new strap 8 to the apron 3, and (iv) replacing the clip 12.

As the strap 8 will be subject to abrasion, particularly on the sections which are positioned under an article of footwear during use, the elastic cord is provided with an outer coating or sheath to provided improved strength. In the preferred embodiment the outer coating is Kevlar ™, however any suitable coating material can be

used and it may cover all of, or only some of, the strap 8.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as depicted in Figure 3, the debris exclusion garment 100 takes the. form of a open ended tube 200 adapted to be worn around the ankle. Unlike the previous embodiment, there is no section which covers the entire foot. A debris exclusion apron 300 in the form of a collar is sewn part of the way down the open ended tube 200 will be positioned on the wearer's ankle during use.

Figure 3 also shows an alternative strap 800 which attaches to the lateral and medial sides of the apron 300. In this case the strap 800 is a single piece of cord which passes through apertures 700 on the apron 300 and is knotted such that it cannot pass back through the aperture 700.

The garment of the present invention has many benefits. In particular it is comfortable to wear, does not have a bulky profile but instead fits snugly to the users lower leg, and can be used on many different styles of footwear including athletic shoes.

Yet further embodiments can be envisaged where garment may partially cover the foot or where different or addition securing means are used to securely attach the debris exclusion aprom to an article of footwear.

Further modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.