Shank Guard

Abstract

A novel removable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.

1 . A device, substantially wedge shaped, sized to fit to the underside of a boot sole and adjacent a boot heel without impeding normal function of the boot for walking. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device includes a securing means to secure said device to said boot sole. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the securing means comprises a first strap designed to hold the device to the underside of a boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about the instep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a buckle, and a second strap designed to be secured to the first strap, the second strap wrapped about the ankle/heel portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop and closure system. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the securing means comprises a first strap designed to hold the device to the underside of a boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about the instep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop and closure system, and a second strap designed to be secured to the first strap, the second strap wrapped about the ankle/heel portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop closure system. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the securing means comprises a hook and loop closure system applied to the underside of a boot sole and a complementary hook and loop closure system applied to the top surface of the device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device further includes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said device further includes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface.