Footwear Assembly With Inner And Outer Articles

Abstract

A footwear assembly includes an open toed inner article of footwear and an outer article of footwear. The inner article of footwear can be inserted into the outer article of footwear. The inner article of footwear can be worn separately from, or in combination with, the outer article of footwear. The footwear assembly can also include a wrapping member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footwear assembly, comprising:
 an inner article of footwear with an open toe portion;   an outer article of footwear configured to receive the inner article of footwear, wherein the outer article of footwear provides greater coverage of a sole of a foot than the inner article of footwear; and   wherein the inner article of footwear can be worn independently from the outer article of footwear and wherein the outer article of footwear can be worn over the inner article of footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer article of footwear is more resilient than the inner article of footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer article of footwear is substantially more rigid than the inner article of footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer article of footwear comprises at least two different portions made of substantially different materials. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer article of footwear is configured to cover the toes of the foot. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer article of footwear comprises a lower portion and an upper portion and wherein the upper portion is substantially more elastic than the lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . A footwear assembly, comprising:
 an inner article of footwear with an open toe portion;   an outer article of footwear configured to receive the inner article of footwear, wherein the outer article of footwear provides greater coverage of a sole of a foot than the inner article of footwear;   wherein the inner article of footwear can be worn independently from the outer article of footwear;   wherein the inner article of footwear includes a first plurality of traction elements; and   wherein the outer article of footwear includes a second plurality of traction elements.   
     
     
         8 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the first plurality of traction elements comprise a first group of traction elements associated with a first portion of the inner article of footwear and a second group of traction elements associated with a second portion of the inner article of footwear, and wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is a forefoot portion and wherein the second portion is a heel portion. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the second plurality of traction elements comprise tread elements that are integral with a lower portion of the outer article of footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of traction elements extend through a majority of the lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . A kit of parts, comprising:
 an inner article of footwear with an open toe portion;   an outer article of footwear configured to receive the inner article of footwear, wherein the outer article of footwear provides greater coverage of a sole of a foot than the inner article of footwear; and   a wrapping member configured to be wrapped around the foot and ankle.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of parts according to  claim 12 , wherein the kit of parts further includes a container for storing the inner article, the outer article and the wrapping member. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein the kit of parts further includes a bag and where the bag can be used to wash the inner article of footwear, the outer article of footwear and the wrapping member. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein the container includes a drawer with at least three separated compartments and wherein the inner article of footwear and the outer article of footwear are configured to be stored in a first compartment, wherein the wrapping member is configured to be stored in a second compartment and wherein the bag is configured to be stored in a third compartment. 
     
     
         16 . A footwear assembly, comprising:
 an inner article of footwear with an open toe portion, the inner article of footwear further including a vamp portion that partially covers a top of a foot;   an outer article of footwear configured to receive the inner article of footwear;   wherein the outer article of footwear includes an opening; and   wherein the vamp portion of the inner article of footwear extends through the opening.   
     
     
         17 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the instep of a foot can extend through the opening. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner article of footwear and the outer article of footwear have a substantially integrated appearance. 
     
     
         19 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the footwear assembly further includes a wrapping element that extends from beneath an arch of a foot to an ankle of the foot. 
     
     
         20 . The footwear assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner article of footwear provides for greater flexibility of the foot than the outer article of footwear.