US 2005022.

3595A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0223595 A1
Wright et al. (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 13, 2005
(54) GARMENT FOR MUFFLING SOUND Related U.S. Application Data
GENERATED BY AUSERS FOOTSTEP
(60) Provisional application No. 60/554,424, filed on Mar.
19, 2004. Provisional application No. 60/607,489,
(75) Inventors: Barry F. Wright, Cincinnati, OH (US); filed on Sep. 7, 2004.
Ronald A. Reaves, Batavia, OH (US) Publication Classification

Correspondence Address: (51) Int. Cl. ............................. A43B 3/12; A43B 3/16
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP (52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................... 36/7.1 R
2700 CAREW TOWER (57) ABSTRACT
441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI, OH 45202 (US) Agarment for muffling Sound generated by a user's footstep
includes a circumferential Sidewall having an upper end, a
lower end, and a circumferential lower portion near the
(73) Assignee: Baron Concepts, LLC, Cincinnati, OH lower end. When the garment is worn, the upper end
(US) encircles the user's leg, and the lower position Surrounds the
user's foot and shoe portion that surrounds the foot. The
lower portion has a circumference Substantially larger than
(21) Appl. No.: 11/085,873 the circumference of a user's shoe, whereby the lower
portion is Spaced away from the user's shoe during at least
part, if not all, of a user's footstep. In this fashion, the
garment creates an enlarged chamber for muffling Sounds
(22) Filed: Mar. 21, 2005 generated by the user's footstep.
Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 1 of 4 US 2005/022.3595 A1
Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2005/022.3595 A1

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Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2005/022.3595 A1
Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 4 of 4 US 2005/0223595 A1
US 2005/0223595 A1
GARMENT FOR MUFFLING SOUND GENERATED
BY A USERS FOOTSTEP
Detailed Description of the Invention
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
0001. This patent document claims the benefit of the
filing date of: Provisional U.S. Patent Application No.
60/554,424 entitled “Game Enhancer Boot Attachment” and
filed on March 19, 2004 (Applicants: Barry F. Wright and
Ronald A. Reaves); and Provisional U.S. Patent Application
No. 60/607,489 filed on September 7, 2004 (Applicants:
Barry F. Wright and Ronald A. Reaves). The entire disclo
sure of each of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Nos.
60/554,424 and 60/607,489 is incorporated into this patent
document by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
0002 This invention relates to suppressing or reducing
noise that is created when walking or otherwise Stepping on
the ground and on ground features Such as grasses, leaves,
twigs, branches, bark, and other objects.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
0003) Hunters, animal watchers, and outdoor photogra
phers often must get close to the animals they are tracking.
However, many of these animals will flee if they sense that
a perSon may be approaching.
0004 One of the ways for a person to reduce the likeli
hood of triggering Such a flight response is to minimize the
amount of noise the perSon makes. In an effort to reduce
Such noise, one approach calls for a flexible wall that is
removably secured to the perimeter of a hunter's boot sole
by a Velcro (R) fastener system. The wall depends from, and
is substantially coextensive with, the perimeter of the boot
Sole, and includes a Strand-like length of resilient material
such as plastic or foam rubber. In combination with the boot
Sole, the wall defines a cavity having a depth at least equal
to the vertical thickness of the boot heel. In use, the wall
Substantially collapses under the user's weight. (See Folks
U.S. Patent No. 4,893,421.) Although the flexible wall may
SuppreSS Some of the noise created by walking on leaves,
twigs, and the like, the wall has Several limitations. For
example, many of the leaves, twigs, and other objects being
Stepped on extend beyond the perimeter of the boot Sole and
depending wall. Accordingly, when a user Steps on these
items, the portions that extend beyond the perimeter make
rustling, crunching, and breaking Sounds that are not Sup
pressed. In addition, when a user Steps on a larger-diameter
item, the Strand-like length of resilient material adjacent that
item is elevated above the ground Surface, thereby forming
one or more air gaps. These air gaps allow Sound to escape
relatively unhindered from underneath the boot.
0005 Another approach calls for a footwear device com
prising a cloth upper body for covering and concealing a
shoe, an adjustable opening for inserting the Shoe into the
device, a means for Securing which firmly holds the device
in place around the shoe, and a bottom Sole comprised of a
Synthetic fur material (i.e., a knitted pile fabric) that reduces
noise when an outdoorsman Steps on ground objects Such as
leaves and twigs. (See Davis U.S. Patent No. 5,799,418.)
Oct. 13, 2005
Although the footwear device may reduce Some of the noise
created by walking on leaves, twigs, and the like, the device
has Several drawbackS. For example, many of the leaves,
twigs, and other objects being Stepped on extend beyond the
perimeter of the footwear device. Accordingly, when a user
Steps on these items, the portions that extend beyond the
perimeter make rustling, crunching, and breaking Sounds
that are not Suppressed. In addition, many of the ground
objects become attached to the Synthetic fur material, which
leads to additional noise. For example, when a user walks,
Some of these objects are dragged along the ground. Also,
when a user Steps on the ground, the user is likely to Step on
these attached items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
0006 The present invention provides a garment for muf
fling Sound created by a user's footstep, in which the
garment offers a further-enhanced level of Sound muffling.
To this end, and in accordance with the principles of the
invention, the enhanced Sound muffling is accomplished by
a garment circumferential-Sidewall lower portion that has a
circumference Substantially larger than the circumference of
a user's shoe (e.g., boot). In this fashion, the lower portion
is Spaced away from the user's shoe during at least part, if
not virtually all, of the user's footstep when the garment is
worn, thereby creating an enlarged chamber that provides an
enhanced level of Sound muffling.
0007. By virtue of the foregoing, there is thus provided a
garment that offers an enhanced level of muffling of Sound
created by a user's footstep. This and other advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the accompanying
drawings and description of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0008. The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo
rated in, and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general
description of the invention given above, and the detailed
description of embodiments of the invention given below,
Serve to explain the principles of the invention. The draw
ings are Schematic, and are not to Scale.
0009 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of Sound
muffling garments, in accordance with the principles of the
invention, being worn by a user;
0010 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the right-leg Sound
muffling garment shown in Fig. 1,
0011 Fig. 3 is a disassembled cross-sectional view of a
portion of the circumferential sidewall of the sound-muffling
garment of Fig. 2, taken along line 3-3,
0012 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another portion
of the circumferential Sidewall of the Sound-muffling gar
ment of Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4,
0013 Fig. 5 is a perspective partially-broken-away view
of the left-leg Sound-muffling garment of Fig. 1;
0014 Fig. 6 is an elevational side view of a sound
muffling garment worn by a user, in which the user is in
mid-step, with the Sound-muffling garment being Substan
tially similar to the Sound-muffling garments of Fig. 1;
0015 Fig. 7 is an elevational front view of the sound
muffling garment of Fig. 2 being worn by a user, in which
the garment is shown in a Stowed position;
US 2005/0223595 A1
0016 Fig. 8 is an elevational side view of another sound
muffling garment, in accordance with the principles of the
invention, being worn by a user; and
0017 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of Sound
muffling garments in accordance with the principles of the
invention, in which each of the Sound-muffling garments is
connected to a corresponding pant leg of an article of
clothing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0.018 For the convenience of the reader, the same refer
ence number is used to identify identical or Substantially
identical elements in the embodiments described below and
depicted in the drawings.
0.019 With reference to Figs. 1-6, each sound-muffling
garment 10a, b includes a circumferential Sidewall 12 hav
ing an upper end 14, a lower end 16, and a circumferential
lower portion 18 near the lower end 16. When the garment
10 is worn, the upper end 14 encircles the user's leg, and the
lower portion 18 Surrounds the user's foot and Shoe portion
that surrounds the foot. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the
lower portion 18 has a circumference Substantially larger
than the circumference of the user's shoe (e.g., boot 20),
whereby the lower portion 18 is spaced away from the user's
shoe during at least part, if not all, of a user's footstep. In this
fashion, the garment 10 creates an enlarged chamber for
muffling Sounds generated by a user's footstep. Each gar
ment 10 also includes a longitudinal axis L (Fig. 6).
0020. The upper end 14 of the circumferential sidewall
12 defines an opening that is Substantially circular in shape.
Extending downward from the upper end 14, however, the
Sidewall 12 has a generally elliptical or oval cross-sectional
shape (transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the garment
10). Also, the circumferential sidewall 12 generally is flared
in the direction of the lower end 16. In this fashion, the
circumferential Sidewall 12 forms an enclosed Sound-muf
fling chamber that not only extends all the way around, but
also is spaced away from, the user's shoe and much of the
user's lower leg.
0021. The circumferential sidewall 12 is made up of one
or more layers of material, with the resulting Sidewall 12
being flexible. The exterior surface 22 of the circumferential
Sidewall 12 of each of the garments 10a, b includes a
camouflage pattern. However, any Suitable pattern(s) and/or
color(s) may be used, as desired. The sidewall 12 further
includes three elliptically-shaped split rings 24a, b, c, dis
cussed in detail below. The lower end 16 of the circumfer
ential Sidewall 12 includes a circumferential, generally
downwardly oriented wall 26 made up of a resiliently
deformable material, with the material constructed So as to
form a Series of fringe-like Strips. The material, itself, may
be any Suitable, resiliently deformable material, with one
example being a rubber material.
0022. As seen in Fig. 5, the interior surface 28 of the
circumferential Sidewall 12 includes Several pockets. In
particular, the interior Surface has a pocket 30 for receiving
a heating element (e.g., a catalytic heater packet or pouch),
and a pair of pockets 32 (only one shown) for receiving scent
applicators.
0023. With reference to Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the sound
muffling garment 10 generally is tapered in the direction of
Oct. 13, 2005
the upper end 14. The upper end 14 includes an elasticized
cuff 34 (Fig.2) that encircles, and may be releasably secured
around, the lower leg of a user, just below the knee joint. In
order to allow a user to put the garment 10 on or take the
garment 10 off without having to remove a shoe, the garment
10 also includes a Zipper 36 that extends partway down the
length of the garment 10 from the cuff 34. A compression
strap 38 (Fig. 2) is connected to the cuff 34, and allows the
user to further secure the garment 10 about the lower leg. If
desired, the innermost layer 40 (Fig. 2) of the cuff 34 may
be made of a material having a degree of tack or "Sticki
ness”. Examples include polyester scrim and PVC scrim. If
used, this layer 40 further assists in maintaining the cuff 34
at the desired location around the user's leg.
0024. The sound-muffling garment 10 includes several
Stiffening elements that assist in keeping the lower portion
18 of the circumferential sidewall 12 spaced radially out
ward and away from the user's shoe during much, if not all,
of a complete footstep motion. Several of the Stiffening
elements are elongated resilient members oriented at an
angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the garment. With
reference to Figs. 1-3, the garment 10 includes three elon
gated resilient members, each in the form of an elliptically
shaped split ring 24a, b, c. Each ring 24a, b, c is connected
to the circumferential sidewall 12 at a different position
along the length of the garment 10. In addition, each ring
24a, b, c is oriented at an angle that is Substantially perpen
dicular to the longitudinal axis L of the garment 10. The
rings 24a, b, c may be made of any Suitable material(s). For
example, each ring 24a, b, c may be a length of insulated
copper wire positioned inside a length of flexible plastic
tubing. In addition, although the elongated resilient mem
bers are shown as rings 24a, b, c, any Suitable element(s) or
design(s) may be used, including, for example, a spiraling
coil.
0025 The garment 10 includes additional stiffening ele
ments in the form of layers of foam sheeting. With reference
to Figs. 2-4, the particular garment 10a shown includes four
layers of foam sheeting 42a, b, c, d, as well as layers of other
materials described immediately below. As best seen in Fig.
3, the multi-layer circumferential sidewall 12 includes an
outer layer 44 having a water-resistant or water-proof layer
46 coated on the inner Surface, the Series of four foam layers
42a, b, c, d described immediately above, a layer of batting
48a, b, c between each of the foam layerS 42a, b, c, and an
inner-most layer 50 that includes the interior Surface 28 of
the garment 10a. The layerS may be connected together as
desired, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill. For
example, one or more adjacent layerS may be Stitched or
adhesively bonded, and any Suitable attachment pattern may
be used.
0026. Each of these layers may be made of any suitable
material, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill. For
example, if desired, the Outer-most layer 44 may be cham
ois-type fabric having a breathable, liquid resistant,
microporous coating (as at 46) on its back Surface. Examples
of such a material include Walls Breathable Water-Pruf(
fabric available from Walls Industries, Inc. of Cleburne,
Texas, and Mossy Oak fabric available from Hancock Fab
rics, Inc. of Baldwyn, Mississippi. With regard to the foam
layerS 42, foam sheeting Such as that used as an underlay
ment for hardwood flooring may be used. The batting
US 2005/0223595 A1
material 48 may be a polyester batting. And the innermost
layer 50 may be a polyester tricot mesh fabric.
0027. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the downwardly
oriented resiliently-deformable wall 26 of the lower end 16
of the garment 10a, b includes two Sets of fringe material,
with each set including two layers. The first set 52a, b is
positioned near the outermost fabric layer 44 of the circum
ferential Sidewall 12, and the Second Set 54a, b is positioned
near the innermost layer 50 of the sidewall 12 (Fig. 4). When
assembled, the multiple layers of material of the sidewall 12
effectively form a bottom wall 56, with the fringe material
extending downward from the bottom wall 56. In further
detail, the first Set 52a, b of fringe material extends down
ward from the bottom wall 56 about twice as far as the
Second Set 54a, b of fringe material. Each layer 52a, b, 54a,
b of the resiliently deformable material has an upper portion
connected to one or more of the Sidewall layers, and a lower
portion that extends downward below the bottom wall 56 of
those layers. Advantageously, elongated cuts are made in the
lower portion, thereby forming the Series of fringe-like
Strips. However, it is not necessary for these cuts to extend
into the upper portion of each layer 52a, b, 54a, b. Also, if
desired, the cuts may be made at an angle relative to the
longitudinal axis L of the garment 10a, b. For example,
within each Set 52a, b, 54a, b, one layer may be cut or slit
So that the resulting fringe Strips extend diagonally down
ward to the right; and the other layer of the set may be slit
or cut So that the resulting fringe Strips of that other layer
extend diagonally downward to the left (see, e.g., Figs. 2 and
5). In this fashion, for each of the two sets 52a, b, 54a, b of
fringe material, the first and Second layers of fringe Strips
may flexibly and releasably interweave with each other.
Each of the Several fringe-Strip features described above,
taken either alone or in combination, further assists in
muffling Sounds that are generated by a user's footstep. For
example, these various design features enable the lower end
16 of the circumferential sidewall 12 to conform to any of
a number of different ground-Surface contours.
0028. As best seen in Fig. 6, the lower end 16 of the
circumferential sidewall 12 extends downward beyond the
level of the bottom 58 of a user's boot 20 during a portion
of the user's footstep motion. This feature is particularly
beneficial, both during the downward motion of a footstep
(as shown in Fig. 6) and during the upward motion of a
footstep. In the downward motion, the lower end 16 of the
Sidewall 12 contacts and conforms with the ground Surface
60, thereby effectively forming an enclosed chamber before
the user's boot 20 even makes contact with noise-making
objects on the ground Surface 60, Such as leaves, twigs, or
the like. Similarly, as will be appreciated, noise also may be
made when a user raises their leg. However, because the
lower end 16 of the sidewall 12 remains in contact with the
ground as the user raises their shoe off the ground in
preparation for taking another Step, Sounds that may be made
by this motion are muffled by the enclosed chamber.
0029 With reference to Fig. 7, the Sound-muffling gar
ment 10a of Fig. 2 is shown in an elevated, or stowed,
position. In particular, the portion 12a of the circumferential
Sidewall 12 adjacent the outside (i.e., the lateral portion) of
the user's right leg is gathered up and releasably retained by
an elevating member in the form of a Stowing Strap 62. The
lower (i.e., distal) end 62a of the strap 62 may be releasably
attached at the exterior surface 22 of the upper end 14 of the
Oct. 13, 2005
Sidewall 12 using any Suitable fastener(s). For example, a
hook-and-loop fastener system may be used. When the
garment 10a is in the Stowed position, the lower end 16 is
elevated above the bottom 58 of the user's shoe sole. In
addition, the portion 12b of the sidewall 12 adjacent the
inside Surface (i.e., the medial portion) of the user's leg is
Significantly closer to the inside Surface of the leg and Shoe
than when the garment 10a is in its deployed position. When
the garment 10a is in the Stowed position, the user may move
Swiftly from one location to another, travel up or down Steep
terrain, or climb up and over large objects with minimal risk
of Stepping on a portion of the garment 10a.
0030. With reference to Fig. 8, a sound-muffling garment
10(, in accordance with the principles of the invention, has
a circumferential Sidewall 12( that is significantly shorter
than the sidewall 12 of the garment 10 shown in Figs. 1, 2,
5, and 6. Although the garment 10( includes all of the
features and aspects of the other garment 10, the garment 10(
is sized So that the upper end 14(may be Secured around an
upper portion 64(of the shoe (e.g., boot 200, as opposed to
around an upper portion of the lower leg near the kneecap.
0031. With reference to Fig. 9, an article of clothing in
the form of a pair of “knicker height' pants or bibs 66
(shown in phantom) is shown in combination with a pair of
Sound-muffling garments 10(. Although the Sound-muffling
garments 10( are illustrated in a highly Schematic fashion,
these garments 10( are Substantially similar to the Sound
muffling garments 10 shown in Fig. 1. The difference
between the two pairs of garments 10, 10( is the way in
which they are attached to, or worn by, a user. AS described
above in connection with Figs. 1-2, the upper end 14 of each
garment 10 is Secured about a user's pants and lower leg by
an elasticized collar 34 and compression Strap 38 at the
upper end 14. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 9, the upper end
14( of each Sound-muffling garment 10(includes a circum
ferential row of Zipper teeth 68. At the same time, the bottom
70 of each knicker-height pant leg includes a corresponding
row of Zipper teeth 72. In this fashion, each of the sound
muffling garments 10(may be quickly and easily attached to
or detached from the pants or bibs 66 as desired. Moreover,
although not shown, the pants or bibs 66 may further include
pant-leg extensions, each having a row of Zipper teeth at its
upper end, that may be used to convert the knicker-height
clothing into full-length pants or bibs, when the Sound
muffling garments 10( are not being worn. In addition, it
should be understood that the article of clothing may be any
other Suitable clothing item, for example, coveralls.
0032. In use, and with reference to Fig. 1, a user 74 (e.g.,
a hunter) is wearing a first Sound-muffling garment 10a
around the lower right leg and a Second Sound-muffling
garment 10b around the lower left leg. The user 74 is moving
Slowly acroSS uneven terrain 76 that includes leaves, twigs,
Sticks, and the like. And the Sound-muffling garments 10a, b
greatly assist the user 74 in muffling the Sound of the user's
footsteps. AS will be appreciated, the Sound-muffling gar
ment is particularly beneficial in any situation where a
person wants to Step toward a location or target without
being heard, or without the footstep Sounds being recog
nized as the Sounds of an approaching perSon. Accordingly,
the Sound-muffling garments may be used, for example, in
various types of hunting or military Situations.
0033 While the present invention has been illustrated by
a description of various embodiments, and while the illus
US 2005/0223595 A1
trative embodiments have been described in considerable
detail, it is not the intention of the inventors to restrict or in
any way limit the Scope of the appended claims to Such
detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily
appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader
aspects is therefore not limited to the Specific details, rep
resentative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made
from Such details without departing from the Spirit or Scope
of the inventors general inventive concept.
What is Claimed is:
1. A garment for muffling Sound generated by a user's
footstep, comprising: a circumferential Sidewall including
an upper end, a lower end, and a circumferential lower
portion proximate the lower end, the upper end encircling a
user's leg and the lower portion Surrounding a user's leg and
shoe when the garment is worn, the lower portion having a
circumference Substantially larger than the circumference of
a user's shoe, whereby the lower portion is spaced away
from a user's Shoe during at least a part of a user's footstep
when the garment is worn, thereby creating an enlarged
chamber for muffling Sound generated by a user's footstep.
2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the circumferential
sidewall is flexible.
3. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
lower end extends downward beyond the level of a bottom
of a user's shoe when the garment is worn and a user's foot
is Sufficiently elevated above a ground Surface, whereby the
portion of the lower end contacts the ground Surface before
the bottom of a user's shoe contacts the ground Surface.
4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the garment includes
a longitudinal axis, and the circumferential Sidewall is
compressible in the direction of the longitudinal axis,
whereby when the portion of the lower end contacts the
ground Surface, the garment does not inhibit a user from
lowering a user's foot and shoe onto the ground Surface.
5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment includes
a longitudinal axis, and the circumferential Sidewall is
compressible in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the lower end is
resiliently deformable, whereby the lower end may form a
contour that generally corresponds with the contour of a
ground Surface upon which the lower end is placed when the
garment is worn.
7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the lower end includes
a generally downwardly oriented wall comprising a resil
iently deformable material.
Oct. 13, 2005
8. The garment of claim 7 wherein the resiliently deform
able material includes a rubber material.
9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the resiliently deform
able material is constructed and arranged So as to form a
Series of fringe-like Strips.
10. The garment of claim 7 wherein the resiliently
deformable material is constructed and arranged So as to
form a Series of fringe-like Strips.
11. The garment of claim 7 wherein the generally down
Wardly oriented wall includes a plurality of layers.
12. The garment of claim 1 wherein the circumferential
Sidewall includes a Stiffening element.
13. The garment of claim 12 wherein the garment includes
a longitudinal axis, and the Stiffening element includes an
elongated resilient member oriented at an angle relative to
the longitudinal axis.
14. The garment of claim 13 wherein the elongated
resilient member extends at least partway around the cir
cumferential Sidewall.
15. The garment of claim 12 wherein the stiffening
element includes a layer of a resilient foam material.
16. The garment of claim 1 wherein the circumferential
Sidewall generally is tapered in the direction of the upper
end.
17. The garment of claim 1 wherein the circumferential
Sidewall includes multiple layers, the multiple layers assist
ing in muffling Sound generated by a user's footstep.
18. The garment of claim 1 further including an elevating
member, the elevating member constructed and arranged to
releasably retain at least a part of the lower portion of the
circumferential Sidewall in a position that is elevated relative
to a bottom of a user's shoe when the garment is worn.
19. The garment of claim 1 further including a pocket
constructed and arranged to receive a Scent applicator or a
heat-generating device.
20. The garment of claim 1 further including a fastening
member, the fastening member constructed and arranged to
facilitate wearing the garment in a Suitable position encir
cling a user's leg and shoe.
21. The garment of claim 1 in combination with an article
of clothing that includes a pant leg, the garment being
connected to the pant leg.
22. The garment of claim 21 wherein the garment and the
pant leg are detachably connected.