Ice skate overshoe

Abstract

An ice skate overshoe that fits over a shoe and enhances contact with the ground, the shoe having a forward toe portion, a rearward heel portion, a sole, and a bottom for engaging the ground, the ice skate overshoe includes an elastomeric sole, an overtoe component, an overheel component, a rigid sole secured to the elastomeric sole, and at least two rigid elongated runners each having an ice engaging edge, where the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component and the overheel component are a single molded elastomeric piece made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An ice skate overshoe that fits over a shoe and enhances contact with the ground, the shoe having a forward toe portion, a rearward heel portion, a sole, and a bottom for engaging the ground, the ice skate overshoe comprising:
 a. an elastomeric sole having a toe region, a ball region adjacent to the toe region, an arch region adjacent to the ball region, and a heel region adjacent to the arch region, the elastomeric sole having a top surface for engaging the bottom of the shoe, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a periphery, the elastomeric sole made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric sole having a form factor smaller than the bottom of the receiving shoe;   b. an overtoe component having a plurality of elastomeric overtoe stretch zones and a plurality of spaced overtoe apertures, the overtoe apertures separated by at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones, at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones is connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole, at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones is connected to at least another one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the forward toe portion of the shoe when stretched over the forward toe portion of the shoe, the overtoe component having a form factor smaller than the forward toe portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones are in a relaxed state;   c. an overheel component having a plurality of elastomeric overheel stretch zones and a plurality of spaced overheel apertures, the overheel apertures separated by at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones, at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones is connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole, at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones is connected to at least another one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones, the elastomeric overheel stretch zones made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overheel stretch zones flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the rearward heel portion of the shoe when stretched over the rearward heel portion of the shoe, the overheel component having a form factor smaller than the rearward heel portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overheel stretch zones are in a relaxed state;   d. a rigid sole secured to the elastomeric sole; and   e. at least two rigid elongated runners each having an ice engaging edge and each having an upper portion, the upper portion opposite the ice engaging edge, the upper portion rigidly secured to the rigid sole, the rigid elongated runners spaced apart and extending in a longitudinal direction of the elastomeric sole, and the rigid elongated runners and ice engaging edges exposed from the bottom surface,   wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component and the overheel component are a single molded elastomeric piece made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material.   
     
     
         2 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rigid sole is enclosed by the material of the elastomeric sole to secure the rigid sole to the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         3 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component are constructed of the same flexible, stretchable, resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the overtoe component and the overheel component are in the form of a skeleton structure or an open frame structure. 
     
     
         5 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the overtoe component extends from the periphery of the elastomeric sole and within at least one of the toe region and the ball region of the elastomeric sole, and wherein the overheel component extends from the periphery of the elastomeric sole and within at least one of the heel region and the arch region of the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         6 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ice skate overshoe is flexible and stretchable enough to accommodate the shoe of at least two consecutive full sizes. 
     
     
         7 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rigid sole is a single rigid piece disposed in the toe region, the ball region, the arch region, and the heel region of the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         8 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rigid sole comprises a rigid sole top surface and a rigid sole bottom surface opposite the top surface, a rigid sole periphery at the edges of the rigid sole top surface and the rigid sole bottom surface, and a plurality of spaced rigid sole apertures extending from the rigid sole top surface to the rigid sole bottom surface to permit for penetration of the material of the elastomeric sole into the rigid sole apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component together as one have a single flat form when the flexible, stretchable, resilient material is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         10 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component are made of thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones and the elastomeric overheel stretch zones each have an inner surface for engaging with the shoe and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones and the elastomeric overheel stretch zones having a predetermined thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones and the elastomeric overheel stretch zones are flexible and elastic when not fitted to the shoe to permit the inner surface easily foldable against itself having a fold radius at the outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric sole further comprises a sole stretch zone disposed within the ball region of the elastomeric sole, the sole stretch zone made of flexible, stretchable, resilient material, the sole stretch zone flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to permit the top surface of the elastomeric sole when not fitted to the shoe to fold against itself having a bend radius at the top surface, the sole stretch zone flexible and stretchable when fitted to the shoe to permit a torsion angle between a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the elastomeric sole and within both the arch region and the heel region of the elastomeric sole to a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the elastomeric sole and within the toe region of the elastomeric sole, wherein one of the rigid sole is disposed within the toe region of the elastomeric sole and another one of the rigid sole is disposed within the arch region and heel region of the elastomeric sole, the two rigid soles apart from each other and separated by the sole stretch zone, and at least two of the rigid elongated runners secured to each of the rigid soles. 
     
     
         13 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ice skate overshoe further comprises at least two elastomeric side stretch zones, at least one of the elastomeric side stretch zones is connected from at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones to at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones and along each of a side of the ice skate overshoe, the elastomeric side stretch zones made of flexible, stretchable, resilient material, the elastomeric side stretch zones flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the shoe when stretched over the shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the ice skate overshoe further comprises at least two side apertures, at least one of the side apertures located along each of the side of the ice skate overshoe and between one of the elastomeric side stretch zones and the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         15 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the elastomeric side stretch zones is connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         16 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, the overheel component and the elastomeric side stretch zones are a single molded elastomeric piece made of the same flexible and stretchable and resilient material, and wherein the overtoe component, the overheel component and the elastomeric side stretch zones as a whole have a form factor smaller than the receiving shoe when the flexible and stretchable and resilient material is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         17 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, the overheel component and the elastomeric side stretch zones are a single molded elastomeric piece made of the same flexible and stretchable and resilient material, and wherein the overtoe component, the overheel component and the elastomeric side stretch zones are in the form of a skeleton structure or an open frame structure, the structures as a whole having a form factor smaller than the receiving shoe when the flexible and stretchable and resilient material is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         18 . An ice skate overshoe that fits over a shoe and enhances contact with the ground, the shoe having a forward toe portion, a rearward heel portion, a sole, and a bottom for engaging the ground, the ice skate overshoe comprising:
 a. an elastomeric sole having a toe region, a ball region adjacent to the toe region, an arch region adjacent to the ball region, and a heel region adjacent to the arch region, the elastomeric sole having a top surface for engaging the bottom of the shoe, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a periphery, the elastomeric sole made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric sole having a form factor smaller than the bottom of the receiving shoe;   b. an overtoe component having a plurality of elastomeric overtoe stretch zones and a plurality of spaced overtoe apertures, the overtoe apertures separated by at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones, at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones is connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole, at least one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones is connected to at least another one of the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the forward toe portion of the shoe when stretched over the forward toe portion of the shoe, the overtoe component having a form factor smaller than the forward toe portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overtoe stretch zones are in a relaxed state;   c. an overheel component having a plurality of elastomeric overheel stretch zones and a plurality of spaced overheel apertures, the overheel apertures separated by at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones, at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones is connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole, at least one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones is connected to at least another one of the elastomeric overheel stretch zones, the elastomeric overheel stretch zones made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overheel stretch zones flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the rearward heel portion of the shoe when stretched over the rearward heel portion of the shoe, the overheel component having a form factor smaller than the rearward heel portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overheel stretch zones are in a relaxed state;   d. a rigid sole secured to the elastomeric sole and enclosed by the material of the elastomeric sole; and   e. at least two rigid elongated runners each having an ice engaging edge and each having an upper portion, the upper portion opposite the ice engaging edge, the upper portion rigidly secured to the rigid sole, the rigid elongated runners spaced apart and extending in a longitudinal direction of the elastomeric sole, and the rigid elongated runners and ice engaging edges exposed from the bottom surface,   wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component and the overheel component are a single molded elastomeric piece made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material.   
     
     
         19 . An ice skate overshoe that fits over a shoe and enhances contact with the ground, the shoe having a forward toe portion, a rearward heel portion, a sole, and a bottom for engaging the ground, the ice skate overshoe comprising:
 a. an elastomeric sole having a toe region, a ball region adjacent to the toe region, an arch region adjacent to the ball region, and a heel region adjacent to the arch region, the elastomeric sole having a top surface for engaging the bottom of the shoe, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a periphery, the elastomeric sole made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric sole having a form factor smaller than the bottom of the receiving shoe;   b. an overtoe component having one elastomeric overtoe stretch zone in the form of a band, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zone having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end and the second end connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole and within at least one of the toe region and the ball region of the elastomeric sole, the first end and the second end apart from each other, the overtoe component further having one overtoe aperture disposed between the elastomeric sole and the elastomeric overtoe stretch zone, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zone made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overtoe stretch zone flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the forward toe portion of the shoe when stretched over the forward toe portion of the shoe, the overtoe component having a form factor smaller than the forward toe portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overtoe stretch zone is in a relaxed state;   c. an overheel component having one elastomeric overheel stretch zone in the form of a band, the elastomeric overheel stretch zone having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, the third end and the fourth end connected to the periphery of the elastomeric sole and within at least one of the heel region and the arch region of the elastomeric sole, the third end and the fourth end apart from each other, the overheel component further having one overheel aperture disposed between the elastomeric sole and the elastomeric overheel stretch zone, the elastomeric overheel stretch zone made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the elastomeric overheel stretch zone flexible for bending or flexing, and stretchable for stretching to snugly and tightly conform over the rearward heel portion of the shoe when stretched over the rearward heel portion of the shoe, the overheel component having a form factor smaller than the rearward heel portion of the shoe when the elastomeric overheel stretch zone is in a relaxed state;   d. a rigid sole secured to the elastomeric sole; and   e. at least two rigid elongated runners each having an ice engaging edge and each having an upper portion, the upper portion opposite the ice engaging edge, the upper portion rigidly secured to the rigid sole, the rigid elongated runners spaced apart and extending in a longitudinal direction of the elastomeric sole, and the rigid elongated runners and ice engaging edges exposed from the bottom surface,   wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component and the overheel component are a single molded elastomeric piece made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material.   
     
     
         20 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the rigid sole is enclosed by the material of the elastomeric sole to secure the rigid sole to the elastomeric sole. 
     
     
         21 . The ice skate overshoe as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component together as one have a single flat form when the flexible, stretchable, resilient material is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         22 . A method to manufacture an ice skate overshoe, provided with an elastomeric sole, an overtoe component, an overheel component, and at least two rigid elongated runners rigidly connected to a rigid sole, comprises the steps of:
 manufacture at least two of the rigid elongated runners rigidly secured to the rigid sole;   align the rigid elongated runners and the rigid sole into a mold used to manufacture the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component;
 with a compression molding or an injection molding process, mold the elastomeric sole, the overtoe component, and the overheel component as a single molded elastomeric piece made of flexible, stretchable, and resilient material, the material of the elastomeric sole molded around the rigid sole enclosing the rigid sole and securing the rigid sole to the elastomeric sole, the rigid elongated runners and the ice engaging edges left exposed from the material of the elastomeric sole.