Boot with draining storage feature

Abstract

The specification and drawings present modifications of a footwear (leg wear) and corresponding application methods for using an outer or inner element/compartment attached to the footwear for carrying/holding and draining wet items such as an umbrella. According to an embodiment, a modified footwear may comprise a regular footwear (such as a rain boot) having a foot portion and an upper portion at least partially covering a leg, and an outer/inner element attached at least to the upper portion of the regular footwear and used for holding and draining one or more items (such as folded umbrella) without wetting the leg and inside of the regular footwear (i.e., without introduction of moisture inside of the footwear).

1 . Apparatus configured for use with footwear, the footwear comprising a foot portion and an upper portion, the apparatus comprising:
 an element configured to be attached to at least the upper portion of the footwear for receiving and draining one or more wet items without wetting an interior portion of the footwear, wherein the element is an outer compartment configured to be secured in a collapsed state by a storage strap when not receiving said one or more wet items.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment is removably attached to the footwear by a fastener. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage strap is removably attached to the footwear by a fastener. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a re-enforcing flexible pad between the outer compartment and at least the upper portion of the regular footwear. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion being urged toward the inner portion by a collapsing mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said collapsing mechanism comprises at least one of a group consisting of: the outer compartment being made of an elastic material, a storage strap operable to hold the outer compartment in the collapsed state, fasteners disposed within the outer compartment configured to secure the outer portion to the inner portion thereof and a zipper configured to hold the outer portion of the outer compartment in the collapsed state when secured. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment has a rigid or semi-rigid back portion facing the footwear. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the element is a receiving outer element configured to receive an umbrella having an attaching element for a direct attachment of the umbrella to the receiving outer element. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus configured for use with footwear, the footwear comprising a foot portion and an upper portion, the apparatus comprising:
 an element configured to be attached to at least the upper portion of the footwear for receiving and draining one or more wet items without wetting an interior portion of the footwear, wherein the element is an inner compartment implemented as a pocket made of a waterproof material and formed within said footwear using a watertight seal.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein an outer skin of the footwear includes an aperture formed therethrough for receiving the one or more wet items into the pocket. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the outer skin of the footwear includes one or more apertures formed therethrough and positioned to drain water from a bottom portion of the pocket. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a drainage tube configured to be disposed within the footwear, a first end of the drainage tube being originated at a bottom of the pocket and a second end of the drainage tube being passed through a sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An attachment kit, comprising:
 a pocket configured to be attached to at least an upper portion of footwear having a foot portion and the upper portion, the pocket configured for receiving and draining one or more wet items without wetting an interior portion of the footwear, the pocket configured to be secured in a collapsed state by a storage strap when not receiving said one or more wet items.   
     
     
         27 . The attachment kit of  claim 26 , wherein the pocket comprises an attaching element for attachment of the pocket to at least the upper portion. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method, comprising:
 providing an attachment kit comprising a pocket configured to be attached to at least an upper portion of footwear having a foot portion and the upper portion, the pocket configured for receiving and draining one or more wet items without wetting an interior portion of the footwear, the pocket configured to be secured in a collapsed state by a storage strap when not receiving said one or more wet items; and   attaching the pocket to an upper portion of footwear.