Insulating Boot Cover

Abstract

An insulating footwear cover is provided for fitting over an article of footwear to shield same from outdoor elements. The cover includes an upper, and a wear-resistant sole portion extending beneath the bottom of the boot or shoe. The sole portion additionally overlaps a portion of the sides of the upper providing a wear-resistant patch over areas of the cover that are most susceptible to wear.

1 . An insulating cover for fitting over a boot, the cover comprising:
 an insulating upper for placement over a portion of a boot upper;   closure means for closing and opening a portion of the upper to facilitate placement and removal of the upper over the boot; and   a wear-resistant sole portion operatively attached to first and second sides of the upper, the sole portion of sufficient size to span the bottom width of the boot when the cover is fitted thereto;   the sole portion further extending upwardly to substantially overlap the upper on each of said first and second sides, thereby providing a wear-resistant surface to each side of the upper.   
   
   
       2 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the upper comprises side panels joinable over the boot by said closure means. 
   
   
       3 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  for fitting over a ski boot, wherein the upper and sole portion define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding. 
   
   
       4 . The insulating cover as in  claim 2  wherein the insulating upper further comprises a sizing strip of elastomeric material, the sizing strip attached between the side panels to facilitate fitting of the insulating cover over a variety of boot sizes. 
   
   
       5 . The insulating cover as in  claim 4  wherein the upper further comprises a second sizing strip of elastomeric material to further accommodate fitting of the upper over a boot. 
   
   
       6 . The insulating cover as in  claim 4  wherein the sizing strip is at the rear of the upper. 
   
   
       7 . The insulating cover as in  claim 4  wherein the sizing strip is at the front of the upper. 
   
   
       8 . The insulating cover as in  claim 4  wherein a sizing strip is present at the front and rear of the upper. 
   
   
       9 . The insulating cover as in  claim 4  for fitting over a ski boot, wherein the insulating upper, sole portion, and sizing strip define at least one opening to accommodate a ski boot binding. 
   
   
       10 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the insulating upper comprises wear-resistant material. 
   
   
       11 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the insulating upper comprises a water-resistant or wear-resistant coating. 
   
   
       12 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the insulating upper comprises elastomeric fabric. 
   
   
       13 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the insulating upper comprises wear-resistant fabric. 
   
   
       14 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the insulating upper is composed of Neoprene, Cordura®, Gortex® or nylon. 
   
   
       15 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the closure means is a zipper. 
   
   
       16 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the wear-resistant sole comprises wear-resistant fabric. 
   
   
       17 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the wear-resistant sole comprises a wear-resistant surface. 
   
   
       18 . The insulating cover as in  claim 1  wherein the wear-resistant sole is composed of Cordura® or Tufftek®.