Footwear Device

Abstract

A footwear device for releaseably receiving footwear that has an upper surface, a sole, and a heel. The footwear device includes a sole having an upper surface and a ground-engaging surface, a forefoot support member extending from the sole to form a first loop, a heel support member extending from at least one of the sole and the forefoot support member to form a second loop. When footwear is inserted into the footwear device, the forefoot support member overlaps at least a portion of the upper surface of the footwear, the heel support member overlaps at least a portion of the heel of the footwear, and the sole of the footwear device substantially covers the sole of the footwear to protect the same.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A footwear device for releaseably receiving footwear, the footwear having an upper surface, a sole, and a heel, the footwear device comprising:
 a sole having an upper surface and a ground-engaging surface;   a forefoot support member extending from the sole to form a first loop;   a heel support member extending from at least one of the sole and the forefoot support member to form a second loop; and   wherein when the footwear is inserted into the footwear device:
 the forefoot support member overlaps at least a portion of the upper surface of the footwear; 
 the heel support member overlaps at least a portion of the heel of the footwear; and 
 the sole of the footwear device substantially covers the sole of the footwear to protect the same. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ground-engaging surface of the sole of the footwear device includes means for enhancing traction. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the sole of the footwear device includes means for cleaning the sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the forefoot support member is an elastomeric loop sized such that when the footwear is inserted into the footwear device, the forefoot support member exerts forces on the upper surface of the piece of footwear to releaseably retain the same. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the forefoot support member includes a first strap and a second strap disposed on opposing sides of the sole of the footwear device, wherein each of the first and second straps has a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of both straps are fixed to the sole and the second ends of both straps include fasteners which cooperate together to adjustably secure the first strap to the second strap to form the first loop. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heel support member is an elastomeric loop sized such that when the footwear is inserted into the footwear device, the heel support member urges the footwear forwardly into the forefoot support member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the footwear device further includes one or more support members extending from the sole to the heel support member, wherein the one or more support members urge the sole of the footwear device upwardly when the footwear is inserted into the footwear device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pull loop extending from the heel support member for positioning the heel support member around the heel of the footwear when the footwear is inserted into the footwear device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one indicia disposed on an outer surface of the forefoot support member.