Footwear cover

Abstract

A shoe cover may protect the footwear, enclosed foot, and adjacent parts of the lower limb from many hazards including liquids, especially precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow. The disclosed footwear cover comprises two main parts: a lower part without a sole that covers the upper and heel of the shoe, and an upper part that covers the lower limb at or above the ankle. The lower part is secured to the shoe by one or more securing members that may pass around the sole of the shoe, a toe pocket, a securing member adapted to accommodate the treads of a shoe if present, or by an attachment on the shoe itself. The footwear cover is secured about the lower limb of the user by a strap or other fastener on the upper part of the footwear cover.

1 . A footwear cover for covering a shoe, said footwear cover having a front, a rear, a top and a bottom and a top opening and a bottom opening, said footwear cover comprising:
 an upper part having an upper overlapping portion and an upper overlapped portion, wherein said upper overlapping portion and said upper overlapped portion fasten to each with an upper fastening means; and   a lower part having a lower overlapping portion and a lower overlapped portion, wherein said lower overlapping portion and said lower overlapped portion fasten to each with a lower fastening means;   wherein said upper and said lower overlapping portions and said upper and said lower overlapped portions overlap in a diagonal manner.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper part covers a lower limb of a wearer and the lower part covers a shoe of the wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the upper part prevents liquids from infiltrating the footwear cover at the top opening. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper part and the lower part are constructed from the same material. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper part and the lower part are constructed form different materials and are joined in a manner that prevents liquid from entering between the two parts. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper part is constructed from an elastic material conformable to a wearer's limb. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said footwear cover is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of lightweight, flexible, breathable water-repellent or water proof materials and nylon. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper fastening means is selected from the group consisting of buttons, snap buttons, hook and loop fasteners and zippers. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower fastening means is a single fastener selected from the group consisting of buttons, snap buttons, hook and loop fasteners and zippers. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower fastening means is a plurality of fasteners selected from the group consisting of buttons, snap buttons and hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at least one securing member. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one securing member attaches to itself or to securing attachments on the footwear cover. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one securing member is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, thin metal wire, plastic and an elastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one securing member is a universal securing member or the at least one securing member is constructed to match and fit within a tread pattern of a specific shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a toe pocket for attaching the front of the footwear cover to the shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the toe pocket includes at least one securing member adapted to be received within a grooved portion of a shoe tread. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the toe pocket is constructed from an elastic material, thereby conforming to a toe portion of the shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the toe pocket has openings in its bottom surface to allow shoe treads or spikes to protrude through. 
     
     
         19 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein a surface of the toe pocket is designed to contribute to a traction of the shoe between the shoe and the footwear cover or between the shoe and a ground surface. 
     
     
         20 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a heel pocket, wherein the heel pocket includes at least one securing member adapted to be received within the grooved portion of a shoe tread. 
     
     
         21 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said footwear cover attaches to a wearer's pant legs. 
     
     
         22 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a holding means into which a race chip may be placed or attached. 
     
     
         23 . The footwear cover as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pocket for holding items.