Protective Shoe Cover

Abstract

A protective shoe cover that surrounds and shields an athletic shoe while still allowing the shoe to be seen and identified. The shoe cover primarily comprises a transparent and waterproof layer that completely surrounds the athletic shoe. A break is provided in the forward-facing part of the shoe cover so that it may be opened to admit the athletic shoe (either before or after the user has donned the shoe). Straps, laces, or other closure devices are used to close the break. A durable toe guard is provided on the front of the shoe cover and a durable heel guard is provided on the back. The toe and heel guards may not be transparent and may in fact be translucent or even opaque. A non-slip sole is provided on the bottom of the shoe cover so that the cover may be worn in slippery conditions without danger.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A protective shoe cover, for protecting an athletic shoe, having a toe cap and a heel, comprising:
 a. a sole, having a forward end, an aft end, a bottom side, a top side, and a perimeter;   b. a transparent guard material attached to said top side along said perimeter of said sole;   c. a toe guard attached to said forward end of said sole on said top side of said sole, and also attached to said transparent guard material;   d. a heel guard attached to said aft end of said sole on said top side of said sole, and also attached to said transparent guard material;   e. said transparent guard material having a break, a collar, and an ankle extension;   f. wherein said break and said collar are designed such that said athletic shoe may be placed within said transparent guard material and on said top side of said sole such that said heel of said athletic rests against said heel guard and said toe cap of said athletic shoe rests under said toe guard; and   g. a plurality of straps, each having a closure, configured to selectively close said break.   
     
     
         2 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom side of said sole includes a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         3 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said transparent guard material includes an air vent proximate said aft end of said sole. 
     
     
         4 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said transparent guard material includes a logo design. 
     
     
         5 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said toe guard includes a logo design. 
     
     
         6 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said heel guard includes a logo design. 
     
     
         7 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. said transparent guard material includes a hole proximate said collar; and   b. said hole is intended to hold an authentication tag.   
     
     
         8 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sole is fabricated using a non-slip material. 
     
     
         9 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said toe guard, said heel guard, and said sole are molded as a single part. 
     
     
         10 . A protective shoe cover, for protecting an athletic shoe, having a toe cap and a heel, comprising;
 a. a sole, having a forward end, and an aft end;   b. a transparent guard material attached along the periphery of said sole;   c. said sole having a toe guard integral to said forward end and connected to said transparent guard material;   d. said sole having a heel guard integral to said aft end and connected to said transparent guard material;   e. said transparent guard material having a break, and a collar;   f. wherein said break and said collar are designed such that said athletic shoe may be placed within said transparent guard material and on said top side of said sole such that said heel rests against said heel guard and said toe cap rests under said toe guard; and   g. a plurality of straps, each having a closure, allowing said break on said transparent guard material to close.   
     
     
         11 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said collar extends beyond said athletic shoe in order to Form an ankle extension. 
     
     
         12 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said ankle extension includes a hole configured to hold an authentication tag. 
     
     
         13 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said sole includes a bottom side having at least one ridge. 
     
     
         14 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said transparent guard material includes an air vent proximate said aft end of said sole. 
     
     
         15 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said transparent, guard material includes a logo design. 
     
     
         16 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said toe guard includes a logo design. 
     
     
         17 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said heel guard includes a logo design. 
     
     
         18 . A protective shoe cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said sole is fabricated using a non-slip material.