Shoe with concealed gaiter fasteners

Abstract

A shoe includes an upper with a gaiter which has a top end, a bottom end, and two opposite lateral sides interconnecting the top and bottom ends. The gaiter further includes, adjacent to the lateral sides thereof, first and second fasteners so as to place the gaiter in a closed position. A third fastener is attached to an inner surface of the gaiter between the lateral sides and between the top and bottom ends of the gaiter. A fourth fastener to interlock with the third fastener is attached to the upper adjacent to the top end of the upper. The third and fourth fasteners are therefore concealed within the gaiter and is prevented from contacting external debris, mud, sand or the like.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A shoe comprising: 
 an upper having a top open end, and a bottom end;    a sole connected to said bottom end;    a gaiter including a top end, a bottom end, and two opposite lateral sides interconnecting said top and bottom ends, said gaiter further including first and second fasteners attached to said gaiter adjacent to said lateral sides to engage each other and to place said gaiter in a closed position; and    third and fourth fasteners, said third fastener being attached to an inner surface of said gaiter between said lateral sides and below said top end of said gaiter, said third fastener having a lower end at least as high as said bottom end of said gaiter so that said third fastener is not exposed from said gaiter when said gaiter is assembled with said upper, said fourth fastener being attached to said upper adjacent to said top end of said upper.    
     
     
         2 . The shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lower end of said third fastener is higher than said bottom end of said gaiter.  
     
     
         3 . The shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said third and fourth fasteners are configured as hooks-and-loops fastener elements that form a Velcro fastener.  
     
     
         4 . The shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper further includes a collar member which extends along and inwardly of said top end of said upper, said fourth fastener being attached to an inner side of said upper and extending between said collar member and said top end of said upper.  
     
     
         5 . The shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fasteners include hooks-and-loops fastener elements.  
     
     
         6 . The shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second fasteners form a zipper.