Footwear Article with Removable Toe Covering

Abstract

A protective footwear article is provided that has a sole, a shoe upper, and a removable toe cover affixable over the toe box of the footwear article. The forward toe region of the sole includes a leading edge having a recess therealong, while a channel extends laterally across the sole and terminates along the sides thereof. Removably positioned over the toe box of the footwear article is a removable toe cover that has a hardened structure to protect the toes of the wearer. The toe cover further comprises a connecting tab that engages the recess in the sole, and is affixed along the sides of the sole via a securing rod that extends through the toe over and through the channel in the sole. The securing rod is removably secured through the toe cover and the sole after the connecting tab is positioned within the forward recess of the sole.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A shoe having a removable toe cover, comprising:
 a sole comprising a forward toe region, a sole thickness, a first side and a second side;   a shoe upper and a toe box disposed above the sole;   the toe box adapted to receive the toes of a wearer's foot therein;   the forward toe region of the sole further comprising a leading edge, the leading edge having a recess therealong;   a channel extending laterally across the sole, whereby the channel terminates at a first opening along the first side and at a second opening along the second side of the sole;   a removable toe cover adapted to form over the toe box and be positioned above the forward toe region of the sole;   the toe cover comprising a curved surface with an open interior, a forward portion, a rear edge, and a lower edge;   a connecting tab extending inwardly from the forward portion of the toe cover, whereby the connecting tab is adapted to be received by the recess in the forward toe region of the sole;   a pair of aligned toe cover apertures disposed along the lower edge of the toe cover;   the aligned toe cover apertures aligning with the first opening and the second opening of the channel when the toe cover is placed over the toe box;   a securing rod sized to be received through the channel and the aligned toe cover apertures of the toe cover;   whereby the securing rod is adapted to removably secure the toe cover to the sole after the connecting tab is positioned within the recess in the forward toe region of the sole.   
     
     
         2 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the channel and the recess connect within the sole and along the forward toe region of the sole to form a T-shaped member.   
     
     
         3 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the recess further comprises an aperture through the forward toe region of the sole. 
     
     
         4 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the recess further comprises an exposed ledge along the forward toe region of the sole. 
     
     
         5 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the recess further comprises an elongated slot along the forward toe region of the sole. 
     
     
         6 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting rod further comprises:
 a shank, a head, and a threaded end;   wherein the shank of the connecting rod is sized to be received within the channel of the sole;   wherein the head is adapted to bear against one side of the toe cover; and   a threaded nut is adapted to secure to the threaded end of the connecting rod and bear against a second side of the toe cover.   
     
     
         7 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the toe cover further comprises a lower edge;   wherein the toe cover further comprises a pair of opposing tabs extending downwardly from the lower edge; and   wherein each of the aligned toe cover apertures are disposed on one of the opposing tabs.   
     
     
         8 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the toe cover further comprises a lower edge; and   wherein the connecting tab extends inwardly and in substantially the same plane as the lower edge of the toe cover.   
     
     
         9 ) The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the toe cover is formed of a steel material.