Athletic shoe protector

Abstract

The invention provides an athletic shoe protector for protecting and preserving the spikes on athletic shoes and further protects surfaces off of the playing field or track from being damaged by the spikes. The athletic shoe protector of the invention comprises a single-layer sole that is quickly and easily attachable and detachable from the spiked athletic shoe via an attaching means.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An athletic shoe protector for protecting spikes protruding downwardly from the bottom of an athletic shoe consisting of:
 a single-layer sole that is constructed from a single, uniform layer of material, wherein the single-layer sole is substantially planar and has a top surface and a bottom surface and the thickness of the single-layer sole defines a peripheral sidewall between the top surface and the bottom surface of the single-layer sole, wherein the single layer of material is deformable such that it permits the spikes to be embedded into the top surface, wherein the single layer of material comprises a thickness that does not permit the spikes to protrude through the bottom surface of the single-layer sole, optionally wherein the bottom surface comprises a spike-free bottom surface traction design; and   means for attaching the single-layer sole to the athletic shoe, wherein the attachment means comprises two pairs of single strap and D-ring combinations comprising a first single strap attached to the single-layer sole in the general area of the athletic shoe's instep portion wherein on the opposite side of the sole, a first D-ring is attached to the sole in the general area of the instep portion of the athletic shoe wherein the first single strap is long enough to extend over the instep portion of the athletic shoe, through the D-ring on the opposite side to double back on itself where it is capable of being adjusted to securely fit across the instep portion of the athletic shoe and wherein it is secured to itself, wherein a second single strap is secured on one side of the sole and wherein a second D-ring is configured on the opposite side of the sole and wherein the second single strap is long enough to extend over the ball of the foot portion of the athletic shoe, through the second D-ring on the opposite side to double back on itself where it is capable of being adjusted to securely fit across the ball of the foot portion of the athletic shoe, and wherein it is secured to itself.   
     
     
         2 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first single strap is secured to itself via hook and loop material and wherein the second single strap is secured to itself via hook and loop material. 
     
     
         3 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second single straps and the first and second D-rings are attached to the peripheral sidewall of the single-layer sole. 
     
     
         4 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , further comprising orthopedic inserts on the top surface of the single-layer sole. 
     
     
         5 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable insole placed on top of the single layer sole thereby converting the athletic shoe protector into a sandal. 
     
     
         6 . An athletic shoe protector for protecting spikes protruding downwardly from the bottom of an athletic shoe consisting of:
 a single-layer sole that is constructed from a single, uniform layer of material, wherein the single-layer sole is substantially planar and has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the single layer of material is deformable such that it permits the spikes to be embedded into the top surface, wherein the single layer of material comprises a thickness that does not permit the spikes to protrude through the bottom surface of the single-layer sole, optionally wherein the bottom surface comprises a spike-free bottom surface traction design; and   means for attaching the single-layer sole to the athletic shoe, wherein the attachments means is a first pair of straps and a second pair of straps wherein the first pair of straps consists of two strap members wherein each strap member is secured to the single-layer sole, wherein the two strap members are capable of being joined together to form a single strap across the instep portion of the athletic shoe thereby securing the sole to the athletic shoe, wherein the second pair of straps consists of two strap members wherein each strap member is secured to the single-layer sole, wherein the two strap members are capable of being joined together to form a single strap across the ball of the foot portion of the athletic shoe, wherein the first and second pair of straps optionally further include a keeper for securing excess strap after securing the athletic shoe protector to the athletic shoe thereby securing the sole to the athletic shoe.   
     
     
         7 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , wherein the two strap members of the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are joined together by a hook and loop material, snaps or magnets. 
     
     
         8 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , wherein the two strap members of the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are attached to the peripheral sidewall of the single-layer sole. 
     
     
         9 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , further comprising orthopedic inserts on the top surface of the single-layer sole. 
     
     
         10 . The athletic shoe protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable insole placed on top of the single layer sole thereby converting the athletic shoe protector into a sandal.