Protective sole for athletic shoes

Abstract

A device is provided for attachment to the sole of athletic shoes to protect the sole of athletic shoes from damage caused by walking on off-court or street surfaces. The device comprises a base member and securement members for securing the base member to the sole of an athletic shoe and allows the user to avoid having to change from street shoes to athletic shoes before stepping on a court surface and then having to remove his athletic shoes and don street shoes before leaving the playing venue.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A protective device for protecting the sole of an athletic shoe from damage caused by walking on conventional street surfaces, comprising: 
 a base member for contacting the sole of an athletic shoe, said base member being substantially coextensive with the sole of an athletic shoe; and    securement members attached to said base member and positioned to engage an athletic shoe positioned on said base member to secure said base member to the sole of an athletic shoe in contact with said base member.    
     
     
         2 . The protective device of  claim 1  wherein said securement members comprise a toe-engaging securement member and a heel-engaging securement member.  
     
     
         3 . The protective device of  claim 2  wherein said securement members further comprise an instep-engaging securement member.  
     
     
         4 . The protective device of  claim 1  wherein said securement members comprise a toe-engaging securement member and an instep-securement member.  
     
     
         5 . The protective device of  claim 1  wherein said securement members have selectively securable structure for facilitating fastening attachment and detachment of said base member to an athletic shoe.  
     
     
         6 . The protective device of  claim 5  wherein said selectively securable structure of said securement members comprises a hook and loop system for adjustably positioning said securable members about an athletic shoe in contact with said base member.  
     
     
         7 . The protective device of  claim 5  wherein said selectively securable structure of said securement members comprises a buckling system for adjustably positioning said securable members about an athletic shoe in contact with said base member.  
     
     
         8 . The protective device of  claim 1  wherein said base member has a bottom surface structured to provide traction with a walking surface.