Shoe sole protector
View Patent ↗A multi-layered protector is adapted to attach to and cover the entire sole of a shoe to protect the sole from being marred or otherwise damaged when the shoe is worn by a user. The protector includes a ground engaging layer, a wear indicating layer and an adhesive layer. The wear indicating layer is rigid in character and provides immediate feedback to a user of its exposure. A removable peel layer adjacent the adhesive layer may be removed in order to attach the sole protector to the sole of the shoe. Preferably, the ground engaging layer includes an upwardly extending, peripheral rim portion adapted to protect the outer edge portions of the sole. A deformable conforming layer is optionally provided between the wear indicating layer and the adhesive layer. The protector may be adapted for customization or may be produced specifically for use with a particular shoe.
1. A shoe assembly comprising:
a shoe including an upper and a ground engaging sole; and
a one-piece protector attached to and covering the sole of the shoe, the protector including:
a ground engaging layer of elastomeric material;
a wear indicating layer made of a flexible plastic which is harder than the elastomeric material of the ground engaging layer, said wear indicating layer being arranged atop the ground engaging layer such that, when exposed, provides a visual alert that the ground engaging layer has been compromised; and
an adhesive layer positioned on a side of the wear indicating layer opposite the ground engaging layer, said adhesive layer removably securing the protector to the sole of the shoe;
wherein, the thickness of the protector does not exceed approximately 56 mils.
2. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protector further comprises a deformable conforming layer positioned between the wear indicating layer and the adhesive layer.
3. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging layer includes an upwardly extending peripheral rim portion adapted to adhere to and cover edge portions of the sole of the shoe.
4. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging layer including a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, said ground engaging layer also including traction treads formed on at least said front and rear portions.
5. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the protector does not exceed approximately 36 mils.
6. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the ground engaging layer is in the range of approximately 19 mils.
7. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the wear indicating layer is approximately 4 mils.
8. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protector is a customized protector which fits contours of the shoe without further modifications.
9. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protector is adapted to be cut to a desired size and shape by a user.
10. The shoe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protector is magnitudes thinner than the sole and lacks any holes over an entire surface of the sole covered by the protector.