Removable Shoe Cover

Abstract

The shoe cover of the present invention provides protection from hot materials falling onto a shoe during work activities. Welding, and other industrial activities, can lead to molten material or sparks damaging the shoe and may lead to workplace injury. The shoe cover of the present invention provides convenient, attractive and comfortable protection from this workplace hazard. The present invention comprises a heat resistant sheet of material that is easily attached and removed from the shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a hook that attaches to a lace at the toe end of the shoe and clips to the shoe at the heel end. The shoe cover of the present invention can be molded to conform to the shape of the shoe, thereby providing additional protective coverage and limiting the possibility of snagging or shifting during work activities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A removable protective shoe cover sized to cover a substantial portion of an upper of a shoe, wherein the shoe comprises a sole, a tongue and an upper having a toe end and a heel end, wherein said upper has a lace and a multiplicity of eyelets configured to accommodate the lace, the shoe cover comprising:
 a sheet of heat resistant material having an underside and a topside;   a first releasable fastening element secured to the underside of the sheet for detachably securing a first end of the sheet to the shoe; and   a second releasable fastening element secured to the underside of the sheet for detachably securing a second end of the sheet to the shoe.   
     
     
         2 ) The shoe cover of  claim 1  wherein the first releasable fastening element attaches to the lace. 
     
     
         3 ) The shoe cover of  claim 2  wherein the first releasable fastening element attaches between a pair of eyelets proximate to the toe end of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 ) The shoe cover of  claim 3  wherein the first releasable fastening element is a hook having a gap and a bend. 
     
     
         5 ) The shoe cover of  claim 4  wherein said gap is proximate to the underside of the sheet such that when the first end of the sheet is flexed upward the hook is passed under the lace then pulled in the direction of the heel end of the shoe, such that the lace passes through the gap and engages the hook by contacting the bend. 
     
     
         6 ) The shoe cover of  claim 5  wherein said hook is formed from a first strip parallel to an axis from the toe end of the shoe to the heel end of the shoe. 
     
     
         7 ) The shoe cover of  claim 6  wherein said first strip is a first pliable strip formed from a pliable material. 
     
     
         8 ) The shoe cover of  claim 7 , wherein a second pliable strip is generally perpendicular to an axis from a first side of the shoe to a second side of the shoe and is attached to the underside of the sheet. 
     
     
         9 ) The shoe cover of  claim 8  wherein the second releasable fastening element is a clip. 
     
     
         10 ) The shoe cover of  claim 9  wherein the clip attaches to the lace. 
     
     
         11 ) The shoe cover of  claim 3  wherein said sheet is formed of pliable material so as to conform to the shape of the shoe. 
     
     
         12 ) The shoe cover of  claim 3  wherein said sheet is formed of a flexible, tough material. 
     
     
         13 ) The shoe cover of  claim 12  wherein said sheet is formed of leather. 
     
     
         14 ) The shoe cover of  claim 12  wherein said sheet is attached to, treated with, or coated with a pliable material or material that otherwise induces pliability, thereby allowing the sheet to be molded to the upper of the shoe. 
     
     
         15 ) The shoe cover of  claim 3  wherein the sheet is of a generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
         16 ) A removable protective shoe cover sized to cover a substantial portion of a top of a shoe, wherein the shoe comprises a sole, a tongue and an upper having a toe end and a heel end, wherein said upper has a lace and a multiplicity of eyelets configured to accommodate the lace, the shoe cover comprising:
 a sheet of heat resistant material having an underside and a topside, sized and shaped to generally cover the upper of the shoe;   a first releasable element attached the underside of the first end of the sheet for detachably securing a first end of the sheet to the lace wherein said lace passes between a pair of eyelets proximate to the toe end of the shoe;   a first strip, generally parallel to an axis drawn from the toe end of the shoe to the heel end of the shoe, attached to the underside of the sheet;   a second releasable fastening element secured to the underside of the sheet for detachably securing a second end of the sheet to the shoe, wherein said second releasable element is attached to the first strip at the heel end of the shoe; and   a second strip, generally perpendicular to an axis drawn from a first side of the shoe to a second side of the shoe, formed from pliable material and attached to the underside of the sheet.   
     
     
         17 ) The shoe cover of  claim 16  wherein the first releasable element is a hook having a gap and a bend. 
     
     
         18 ) The shoe cover of  claim 17  wherein said gap is proximate to the underside of the sheet such that when the first end of the sheet is flexed upward the hook is passed under the lace then pulled in the direction of the heel end of the shoe, such that the lace passes through the gap and engages the hook by contacting the bend. 
     
     
         19 ) The shoe cover of  claim 18  wherein said hook is formed by shaping the first strip into a hook at the toe end of the shoe. 
     
     
         20 ) The shoe cover of  claim 19  wherein a material is applied to the sheet to induce pliability, thereby allowing the sheet to be molded to the upper of the shoe.