Elastic overshoe with modular sole pads

Abstract

An elastic overshoe includes a body having an upper portion and a sole portion, and at least one pad attached to the sole portion. The upper portion and the sole portion have an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of the pad. Additional pads can be independently attached to the sole portion of the body, providing desired combinations of slip and wear resistance.

1 . An elastic overshoe having a flexible plastic body, and a first independently applied sole pad that comprises at least one of a material and tread pattern that is different from that of the body.  
   
   
       2 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad is disposed at a ball portion of the body.  
   
   
       3 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad is disposed at a heel portion of the body.  
   
   
       4 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the body is provides a waterproof barrier to water disposed at the sole of the overshoe.  
   
   
       5 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least one different material from the first pad.  
   
   
       6 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the body formed of thermoplastic rubber and the first pad is formed of nitrile rubber.  
   
   
       7 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sole pad affixed to the body.  
   
   
       8 . The overshoe of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second sole pads are both affixed to one of (a) a ball portion of the body and (b) a heel portion of the body.  
   
   
       9 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least three additional sole pads affixed to a sole of the body.  
   
   
       10 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad is affixed to the body with an adhesive that allows the pad to be removed from the body by a consumer.  
   
   
       11 . The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to be generic with respect to footedness.  
   
   
       12 . An article of manufacture, comprising a package containing a first slip-resistant sole pad applied against a removable backing, and information regarding at least one of type of (a) slip or wear-resistance provided, and (b) instructions on use of the pad.  
   
   
       13 . The article of  claim 12 , wherein the first sole pad is adhered to the backing using an adhesive that forms permanent bond when applied to a thermoplastic overshoe body.  
   
   
       14 . The article of  claim 12 , further comprising a second sole pad adhered to the backing.  
   
   
       15 . The article of  claim 12 , further comprising second, third, and fourth sole pads adhered to the backing.  
   
   
       16 . A kit, comprising: an elastic overshoe body; and a plurality of slip-resistant sole pads, each of which can be independently affixed to the body.  
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein individual ones of the slip-resistant sole pads are coupled to a removable backing using an adhesive that forms a permanent bond when affixed to the body.  
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the overshoe body and at least one of the slip-resistant sole pads comprise at least one different material.  
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the body is configured to be generic with respect to footedness.