Convertible boot band

Abstract

A convertible boot band includes an interior band extending from a first to a second end from a first to a second border and having front and back, first and second end loops coupled proximate the interior band first and second ends, and at least a first gripping portion connected to the interior band back surface. The apparatus may include an exterior layer of pliant material overlaying the interior hand front surface. The apparatus may include the end loops formed into the exterior layer. The apparatus may include a removable clip, including a closure coupling.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an interior band extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end, and extending widthwise from a first border to a second border, the band further including opposed front and back surfaces extending at least between the first and second ends and first and second borders;   first and second end loops coupled to the interior band proximate the respective interior band first and second ends,   a first gripping portion connected to the interior band, the gripping portion disposed lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the back surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second gripping portion disposed along at least a portion of the length of the back surface, the second gripping portion spaced apart laterally from the first gripping portion.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 wherein the first and second gripping portions are disposed proximate the respective interior band first and second borders.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the first gripping portion extends laterally from a first edge to an opposed second edge, each of the first and second edges proximate the respective interior band first and second borders.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the first gripping portion also extends in an alternating lateral direction between a first region proximate the first border to a second region proximate the second border, forming a serpentine pattern.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising:
 wherein the respective gripping portions include interposed spaces. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an exterior layer of pliant material extending lengthwise from a first end to an opposite second end and widthwise from a first border to an opposite second border and having opposed front and back surfaces, the exterior layer connected to the interior band and overlaying the front surface of the interior band with the exterior layer back surface facing the interior band front surface.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 wherein the first and second end loops are formed into the exterior layer first and second ends, respectively.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the exterior layer first and second ends extending lengthwise past the interior band first and second ends;   the interior band connected to the exterior layer at least by first and second end seams extending widthwise across and proximate to the interior band first and second ends, respectively;   the exterior layer first and second ends connected to the interior band and exterior layer back surface at the first and second end seams, respectively, thereby forming the first and second end loops.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 wherein at least one of the exterior layer first or second ends extends past the respective first or second end loop.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  7 , further comprising:
 a removable clip including at least a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and a connecting portion, each of the respective first and second elongated portions extending from a respective first end to a respective second end, the first and second elongated portion connected at their first ends by the connecting portion. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , the clip further comprising a closure coupling:
 wherein the first elongated portion, second elongated portion, and coupling portion are disposed relative to each other to form a U-shape with the first elongated portion first end proximate the second elongated portion first end;   the closure coupling comprising a first part and a second part, the closure coupling first part mounted to the first elongated portion proximate the second end, and the closure portion second part mounted to the second elongated portion proximate the second end, the closure coupling first part including a receiving cavity having an interior engagement lip defining an interior diameter and the closure coupling second part including a projecting portion including an exterior shoulder, the shoulder perimeter size selected to frictionally engage the engagement lip interior diameter when the closure coupling first and second parts are compressed together.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the interior band is formed from a material comprising polyester-fabric-backed polyester foam.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , the clip further comprising:
 first and second retaining portions, each connected to its respective first and second elongated portions proximate the respective elongated portion second ends, each of the first and second retaining portions projecting laterally outward relative to its respective elongated portion, the projection length of each retaining portion sufficient to project outside an end loop when the clip is inserted through the first and second end loops.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the connecting portion comprising an elongated member extending from a first end to a second end, the connecting portion connected proximate its first end to the first elongated portion proximate the first elongated portion first end, and the connecting portion connected proximate its second end to the second elongated portion proximate the second elongated portion first end.