US20140041260A1

US20140041260A1 - Boot with sleeve to accomodate interchangeable decorative indicia

Info

Publication number: US20140041260A1
Application number: US13/570,021
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathleen Jewell; Mauricio Brias
Original assignee: JEWEL KATHLEEN
Current assignee: JEWEL KATHLEEN
Priority date: 2012-08-08
Filing date: 2012-08-08
Publication date: 2014-02-13

Abstract

A boot which is outfitted with a uniquely configured sleeve adapted to accommodate interchangeable decorative indicia. The sleeve may be removably attached to the boot, and configured to slidably advanceable over and maintainable in a prescribed location on the boot, and selectively removable therefrom for attachment to any one of a multiplicity of different boots. Alternatively, the sleeve may be permanently attached to the boot. The sleeve, whether permanently attached to the boot or removably positioned thereon, fully or partially defines one or more pockets adapted to accommodate and facilitate the display of decorative indicia positioned therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to footwear and, more particularly, to a boot which is outfitted with a uniquely configured sleeve adapted to accommodate interchangeable decorative indicia.
2. Description of the Related Art
Boots are common, highly popular forms of footwear. From its structure, a boot is adapted to cover both the foot and ankle of the wearer, in addition to extending along the wearer's leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Though traditionally, boots are made of leather or rubber, many modern boots are made from a variety of different materials. Further, boots are worn not only for their functionality (e.g., protecting the foot and leg of the wearer from water, snow, mud or other hazards), but for fashion objectives as well. Accordingly, boots are offered to consumers in a wide variety different sizes and styles. Along these lines, boots that are worn to convey a fashion statement are often worn with clothing that compliments the boots in order to enhance the display thereof.
As is well known in fashion circles, fashion trends tend to change on a frequent basis, often from year to year. As a result, women's footwear (including boots) from one season can be out of date or style the next season. With particular regard to boots, though they are provided in a wide range of materials and styles, they are typically not adapted to facilitate any appreciable level of customization to or alteration of their decorative, aesthetic attributes. As a result, the fashion choices available to the boot wearer are often somewhat constrained by the color and/decorative styling thereof. The present invention addresses this deficiency of currently know boots by providing a boot which is outfitted with a uniquely configured sleeve adapted to accommodate interchangeable decorative indicia, thus allowing for a high level of customization to the appearance of the boot. These, as well as other features and attributes of the present invention, will be described in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a boot which is outfitted with a uniquely configured sleeve adapted to accommodate interchangeable decorative indicia. In one embodiment, the sleeve is removably attached to the boot. More particularly, in this embodiment, the sleeve is configured to slidably advanceable over and maintainable in a prescribed location on the boot, and to be selectively removable therefrom for attachment to any one of a multiplicity of different boots. In another embodiment, the sleeve is permanently attached to the boot. The sleeve, whether permanently attached to the boot or removably positioned thereon, fully or partially defines one or more pockets adapted to accommodate and facilitate the display of decorative indicia positioned therein. Such decorative indicia may take multiple forms, provided that the shape and dimensional qualities allow it to be advanced into and maintained within the pocket(s) of the sleeve. The sleeve pocket(s) may optionally be closable by any one of a plurality of different closure modalities.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary boot outfitted with a sleeve constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the boot/sleeve combination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the boot/sleeve combination shown in FIG. 1, further depicting the decorative indicia of the sleeve partially removed from within the pocket thereof;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the boot/sleeve combination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is top perspective view of the sleeve of the boot/sleeve combination shown in FIG. 1 as removed from the boot;

FIG. 6 is bottom perspective view of the sleeve of the boot/sleeve combination shown in FIG. 1 as removed from the boot;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an exemplary boot outfitted with a sleeve constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an exemplary boot outfitted with a sleeve constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an exemplary boot outfitted with a sleeve constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-3 depict an exemplary boot 10 as outfitted with a sleeve 12 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In FIGS. 4-6, the sleeve 12 is depicted in a state wherein it is removed or separated from the boot 10.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the boot 10 comprises a foot portion 14 which is sized and configured to cover the wearer's foot, including the toes and ankle of the wearer. In accordance with conventional boot design, the foot portion 14 transitions into a leg portion 16 of the boot 10. In the exemplary boot 10 shown in FIG. 4, the leg portion 16 is sized such that the distal rim 18 defined thereby terminates at a location which is proximate to or just below the knee of wearer. Further in accordance with conventional boot design, the leg portion 16, while having a generally tubular configuration, is not of a uniform outer diameter. Rather, the leg portion 16 is of a progressively increasing outer diameter as is extends from the leg portion 16 to the rim 18, thus making it well suited to accommodate the shape/contour of the lower leg or calf of the wearer.
In accordance with the present invention, the sleeve 12 is sized and configured to be slidably advanceable over the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 so as to assume the position or orientation relative to the boot 10 as is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Like the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, the sleeve 12 has a tubular, generally cylindrical configuration, with the cross-section of the sleeve 12 having a generally oval-shaped profile. The sleeve 12 comprises an inner liner 20 which is positioned or resides within a transparent or semi-transparent outer cover 22. The inner liner 20 is preferably fabricated from a suitable pliable material which possesses some measure of water resistant and non-stick properties (e.g., nylon). The liner 20 may be fabricated in any one of a multiplicity of different colors or shades, selected to match or compliment the color of the boot 10.
In the sleeve 12, the length of the inner liner 20 slightly exceeds that of the outer cover 22. In this regard, when viewed from the perspective shown in FIG. 4, the lower ends or rims defined by the liner 20 and cover 22 are preferably secured to each other via a suitable attachment modality (e.g., stitching), with the joined lower ends of the liner 20 and cover 22 being wrapped or shielded by a continuous, decorative band 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the band 24 has elastic properties to facilitate its tight, abutting engagement to the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 when the sleeve 12 is slidably advanced there over, as will be described in more detail below.
Though the lower ends or rims of the liner 20 and cover 22 are permanently secured to each other as indicated above, the upper ends or rims thereof are not permanently secured to each other in the sleeve 12. As indicated above, the length of the liner 20 preferably exceeds that of the cover 22. As such, when the lower rims of the liner 20 and cover 22 are secured to each other, the upper end or rim of the liner 20 protrudes beyond that of the cover 22, and is thus disposed in spaced relation thereto. Interposed between the spaced upper ends or rims of the liner 20 and cover 22 is a releasable fastening mechanism 26. As is best seen in FIGS. 1-5, the fastening mechanism 26 comprises a zipper which circumvents almost the entirety of the upper ends or rims of the liner 20 and cover 22. The fastening mechanism 26 is selectively movable between a fully secured or closed position, and a fully unsecured or open position. The fastening mechanism is shown in its closed position in FIGS. 1-2 and 5, and in its open position in FIG. 3. The use of a zipper as the fastening mechanism 26 in sleeve 12 is exemplary only, and may be substituted with any one of a multiplicity of different closure modalities. Such alternative modalities include, but are not limited to, snaps, ties, etc.
As is apparent from FIG. 3, the actuation or movement of the fastening mechanism 26 to its open position effectively allows the upper ends or rims of the liner 20 and cover 22 to be separated from each other, which thus provides access to a pocket 28 of the sleeve 12 which is collectively defined by and positioned between the liner 20 and cover 22. In this regard, the pocket 20 also spans virtually the entire circumference of both the liner 20 and cover 22. As further seen in FIG. 3, the pocket 28 is adapted to accommodate decorative indicia 30. In FIGS. 1-6, the exemplary decorative indicia 30 comprise a layer 31 of a fabric or leather material having a prescribed decorative pattern disposed on one side or face thereof. When the fastening mechanism 26 is moved to its open position, the layer 31 is slidably advanced into the pocket 28 such that the face thereof bearing the decorative pattern is positioned adjacent the cover 22. The fabrication of the liner 20 from a material preferably exhibiting non-stick characteristics enhances the ability to easily slidably advance the layer 31 into the pocket 28. Importantly, the layer 31 is sized such that it fills virtually the entirety of the pocket 28, and thus extends from the band 24 to the fastening mechanism 26, while further spanning approximately 360° about the entirety of the sleeve 12. Once the layer 31 is fully advanced into the pocket 28 and properly positioned therein, the movement or actuation of the fastening mechanism 26 to its closed position effectively maintains the layer 31 within the pocket 28. As will be recognized, the decorative pattern applied to the layer 31 is readily observable within the sleeve 12 due to the fabrication of the cover 22 from a transparent or semi-transparent material as indicated above.
As will be recognized, the configuration of the sleeve 12 and the easy access to the pocket 28 which is facilitated by the selective opening and closing of the fastening mechanism 26 allows whatever decorative indicia 30 is placed within the pocket 28 to be quickly and easily replaced with an alternative form thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the decorative indicia 30 may take multiple forms, provided that the shape and dimensional qualities thereof allow it to be advanced into and maintained within the pocket 28 of the sleeve 12. Along these lines, the decorative indicia 30 need not necessarily be a planer, sheet-like structure such as a swatch of material, a photograph, or a planar sheet bearing a drawing or logo, but alternatively may comprise objects such as flowers. Additionally, rather than accommodating decorative indicia, the pocket 28 may be used to accommodate relatively thin, planar objects such as a cellular telephone.
In the sleeve 12, it is contemplated that the cover 22 may be fabricated from a sheet of the aforementioned transparent or semi-transparent material which is wrapped or curled to assume the generally tubular profile shown in FIG. 1-6, with adjacent edges of such sheet thereafter being secured to each other to cause the cover 22 to maintain such profile. If the cover 22 is formed in this manner, it is further contemplated that the sleeve 12 may also be provided with an elongate band 32 which is shown in FIG. 2, and extends along the length thereof between the band 24 and the fastening mechanism 26. As will be recognized, the band 32 is used to cover or shield the seam defined between the joined edges of the material sheet used to form the cover 22. As an alternative, the cover 22 may be formed of a tubular, unitary piece of transparent or semi-transparent material having the tapered profile shown in FIGS. 1-6. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that if the cover 22 is formed of such tubular, unitary piece of transparent or semi-transparent material as opposed to the aforementioned wrapped sheet, the band 32 may be eliminated from the sleeve 12. Irrespective of the manner in which the cover 22 is formed, the sleeve 12 is preferably formed such the lengthwise contour thereof is tapered so as to generally conform to that of the leg portion 16 of the boot 10. In this regard, like the leg portion 16, the sleeve 12 is of a progressively increasing outer diameter as is extends from the band 24 to the fastening mechanism 26, thus making it well suited to accommodate the shape/contour of the leg portion 16 of the boot 10.
The cooperative engagement of the sleeve 12 to the boot 10 is facilitated by collapsing the rim 18 of the leg portion 16, and thereafter advancing it into that end of the sleeve 12 defined by the band 24. After such initial advancement, the sleeve 12 is simply slidably pulled over and along the leg portion 16. The size of the sleeve 12 relative to the boot 10, and in particular the leg portion 16 thereof, is preferably such that when the sleeve 12 is fully advanced over the leg portion 16, the band 24 of the sleeve 12 is positioned at approximately the junction between the foot and leg portions 14, 16, with the fastening mechanism 26 being positioned generally proximate the rim 18. The removal of the sleeve 12 from the boot 10 is facilitated by simply pulling on the upper ends or rims of the liner 20 and cover 22 as results in the sleeve 12 being slidably removed from over the leg portion 16 of the boot 10.
As will be recognized, the ability to selectively change out the decorative indicia 30 disposed within the pocket 28 of the sleeve 12 allows for a high level of customization to any boot 10 outfitted with the same. The utility of the sleeve 12 is further enhanced by the ability to selectively remove the same from any boot 10 to which is it interfaced, and to thereafter attach such sleeve 12 to a different boot 10. However, it is contemplated that the sleeve 12 may alternatively be permanently attached to the boot 10.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a boot 10 which is outfitted with a sleeve 112 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve 112 is sized and configured to be slidably advanceable over the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 so as to assume the position or orientation relative to the boot 10 as shown in FIG. 7. Like the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, the sleeve 112 has a tubular, generally cylindrical configuration, with the cross-section of the sleeve 112 having a generally oval-shaped profile. The sleeve 112 comprises a cover 122 which is preferably fabricated from a tubular, unitary piece of transparent or semi-transparent material having the tapered profile shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the cover 122 may be fabricated from a sheet of the aforementioned transparent or semi-transparent material which is wrapped or curled to assume the tapered, tubular profile shown in FIG. 7, with adjacent edges of such sheet thereafter being secured to each other to cause the cover 122 to maintain such profile. Though not shown in FIG. 7, if the cover 122 is formed in this manner, it is contemplated that the sleeve 112 may include an elongate band similar to the above-described band 32 which extends along the length of the cover 122 and is used to cover or shield the seam defined between the joined edges of the material sheet used to form the same. In contrast to the above-described sleeve 12, the sleeve 112 does not include an inner liner such as the liner 20 included in the sleeve 12.
Irrespective of whether the cover 122 of the sleeve 112 is formed as a unitary tubular structure or from a sheet of material having joined adjacent edges, when viewed from the perspective shown in FIG. 7, the cover 122 defines opposed upper and lower ends or rims. Since, like the above-described cover 22, the cover 122 is preferably formed to have a tapered lengthwise contour, the diameter of the upper rim exceeds that of the lower rim, with the cover 122 (and hence the sleeve 112) thus generally conforming to the contour or profile of the leg portion 16 of the boot 10. As further seen in FIG. 7, the lower end or rim defined by the cover 122 may be covered or shielded by a continuous, decorative band 124 of the sleeve 112 which may be fabricated to possess elastic properties to facilitate its tight, abutting engagement to the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 when the sleeve 112 is slidably advanced there over, as will be discussed in more detail below.
As indicated above, when the sleeve 112 is slidably advanced over the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, the sleeve 112 assumes the position or orientation relative to the boot 10 as shown in FIG. 7. These relative orientations between the sleeve 112 and the boot 10 facilitate the formation of a pocket 128 which is collectively defined by and positioned between the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 and the cover 122 Like the pocket 28 of the above-described sleeve 12, the pocket 128 is adapted to accommodate the aforementioned decorative indicia 30. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the sleeve 112 is not outfitted with any type of closure similar to the above-described fastening mechanism 26 as is operative to effectively enclose decorative indicia 30 within the interior of the pocket 128. Thus, decorative indicia 30 are maintained within the pocket 128 predominantly by the frictional retention thereof between the outer surface of the leg portion 16 and the inner surface of the cover 122. Along these lines, the tight abutting engagement between the band 124 (if included) and the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 may assist in preventing the decorative indicia 30 disposed within the pocket 128 from migrating between the lower rim of the cover 122 and the leg portion 16, thus escaping the pocket 128.
The cooperative engagement of the sleeve 112 to the boot 10 is facilitated by collapsing the rim 18 of the leg portion 16, and thereafter advancing it into that end of the sleeve 112 defined by the lower end or rim of the cover 122 thereof (which may be wrapped by the band 124). After such initial advancement, the sleeve 112 is simply slidably pulled over and along the leg portion 16. The size of the sleeve 112 relative to the boot 10, and in particular the leg portion 16 thereof, is preferably such that when the sleeve 112 is fully advanced over the leg portion 16, the lower rim of the cover 122, or the band 124 extending there along, is positioned at approximately the junction between the foot and leg portions 14, 16, with the upper rim of the cover 122 being positioned generally proximate the rim 18 of the boot 10. The removal of the sleeve 112 from the boot 10 is facilitated by simply pulling on the upper end or rim of the cover 122 thereof as results in the sleeve 112 being slidably removed from over the leg portion 16 of the boot 10. However, it is also contemplated that the lower rim of the cover 122 may be permanently attached or affixed to the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, thus permanently enclosing the lower end of the pocket 128.
It is contemplated that the sleeve 112 constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention may further be provided with an inner liner similar to the above-described liner 20 of the sleeve 12. The tubular inner liner, if included in the sleeve 112, would define a lower end or rim which is permanently attached or affixed to the lower end or rim of the cover 122, with the joined lower rims of the cover 122 and liner being covered or wrapped by the aforementioned band 124. The liner would further be sized such that the length thereof is substantially equal to, but slightly exceeds, that of the cover 122. As will be recognized, if the liner is included in the sleeve 112, the pocket 128 would be collectively defined by such liner and the cover 122, as opposed to being collectively defined by the cover 122 and the leg portion 16 of the boot 10 upon the slidable engagement of sleeve 112 thereto. Further, if the sleeve 112 is outfitted with a liner, it is contemplated that no closure such as the above-described fastening mechanism 26 will be integrated between the upper ends or rims of the liner and cover 122 which are otherwise disposed in relative close proximity to each other. Rather, the pocket 128 collectively defined by the liner and cover 122 will have an upper end which remains open, in contrast to the lower end thereof which is permanently enclosed by the attachment of the liner to the cover 122.
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a boot 10 which is outfitted with a sleeve 212 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve 212 bears substantial similarity to the above-described sleeve 12, with the sleeve 212 comprising an inner liner 220, an outer cover 222, a band 224 and a fastening mechanism 226 which are secured to each other in the same manner and in the same relative orientations described above in relation to the liner 20, cover 22, band 24 and fastening mechanism 26 of the sleeve 12. In this regard, the primary distinction between the sleeves 12, 212 lies in the cover 222 of the sleeve 212 is formed from a tubular, unitary piece of transparent or semi-transparent material having the tapered profile shown in FIG. 8. The tubular, unitary construction of the cover 222 included in the sleeve 212 is described above as a potential variant for the cover 22 included in the sleeve 12.
Due to the unitary, tubular construction of the cover 222 thereof, the sleeve 212 is not outfitted with a band such as the band 32 also described above in relation to the sleeve 12. It is contemplated that the sleeve 212 may be permanently attached to the boot 10 as opposed to being removably engaged thereto. Along these lines, if the cover 212 is to be permanently attached to the boot 10, it is further contemplated that the liner 220 may optionally be omitted therefrom with the structural attributes of the sleeve 212 thus being more akin to the sleeve 112 rather than to the sleeve 12. However, even in the absence of the liner 220 in the cover 212 when the same is permanently attached to the boot 10, it is contemplated that the fastening mechanism 226 may still be interposed between the upper end or rim of the cover 222 and the rim 18 of the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, the fastening mechanism 226 thus being operative to selectively enclose the pocket 228 which would be collectively defined by and between the leg portion 16 and the cover 222 in the absence of the liner 220.
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a boot 10 which is outfitted with a sleeve 312 constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve 312 is similar to the above-described sleeve 212, with the sleeve 312 comprising an inner liner 320, an outer cover 322, and a band 324 which are secured to each other in the same manner and in the same relative orientations described above in relation to the liner 220, cover 222, and band 224 of the sleeve 212. However, one of the notable distinctions between the sleeves 212, 312 lies in the upper ends or rims of the liner 320 and cover 322 also being permanently secured to each other similar to the lower ends or rims thereof, rather than being releasably secured to each other via an intervening closure like the fastening mechanism 226 of the sleeve 212.
A further distinction lies in the liner 320 and cover 322 being secured to each other in manner defining multiple pockets 328, as opposed to the single pocket 228 of the sleeve 212. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the sleeve 312, and in particular the liner 320 and cover 322 thereof, define three (3) separate pockets 328 arranged in a prescribed pattern. In the sleeve 312, each of the pockets 328 may be provided with its own closure mechanism. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, one the pockets 328 is provided with a zipper 330 for facilitating the selective opening and closing thereof, with another one of the pockets 328 being outfitted with a closure flap 332 to accomplish the same objective. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number, size, and arrangement of the pockets shown in FIG. 9, as well as the type of closure mechanisms (if any) included therewith is exemplary only, and may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is contemplated that the sleeve 312 may be removably attached to the boot 10, or alternatively permanently mounted thereto.
This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure. By way of example and not by way of limitation, it is contemplated that within any of the above described embodiments, the leg portion 16 of the boot 10, having the sleeve 12, 112, 212, or 312 permanently attached thereto, may itself be releasably attached to the foot portion 14 of the boot 10 via a fastening mechanism such as a zipper.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sleeve for use in conjunction with a boot having a foot portion and a leg portion which defines a distal end portion, the sleeve comprising:

an inner liner defining opposed first and second end portions; and

an outer cover defining opposed first and second ends portions, the cover at least partially circumventing the liner, with the second end portion of the cover being attached to the second end portion of the liner such that the liner and the cover collectively define at least one pocket;

the sleeve being sized and configured relative to the boot so as to be slidably advanceable over and removable from the leg portion thereof.

2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the cover is fabricated from one of a transparent and semi-transparent material.

3. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the cover has a unitary, tubular configuration.

4. The sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a fastening mechanism which interposed between the first end portions of the liner and the cover, and is movable between a fully open position opening the pocket and a fully closed position enclosing the pocket.

5. The sleeve of claim 4 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a zipper.

6. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is sized relative to the boot such that when slidably advanced over the leg portion thereof, the first end portions of the liner and the cover are disposed proximate the distal end portion of the leg portion, and the attached second end portions of the liner and the cover are disposed proximate a junction between the foot and leg portions of the boot.

7. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein:

the sleeve has a tapered, tubular configuration which is complementary to the leg portion of the boot; and

the pocket spans approximately 360° about the sleeve.

8. The sleeve of claim 1 further comprising an elastic band wrapped about and covering the attached second end portions of the liner and the cover.

9. The sleeve of claim 1 further in combination with decorative indicia disposed within the pocket.

10. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the liner and the cover collectively define a plurality of separate pockets arranged in a prescribed pattern.

11. A sleeve for use in conjunction with a boot having a foot portion and a leg portion which defines a distal end portion, the sleeve comprising:

an outer cover defining opposed first and second ends portions, the cover at least partially circumventing the leg portion of the boot such that the cover and the leg portion collectively define at least one pocket;

12. The sleeve of claim 11 wherein the cover is fabricated from one of a transparent and semi-transparent material.

13. The sleeve of claim 12 wherein the cover has a unitary, tubular configuration.

14. The sleeve of claim 11 wherein the sleeve is sized relative to the boot such that when slidably advanced over the leg portion thereof, the first end portion of the cover is disposed proximate the distal end portion of the leg portion, and the second end portion of the cover is disposed proximate a junction between the foot and leg portions of the boot.

15. The sleeve of claim 11 wherein:

the cover has a tapered, tubular configuration which is complementary to the leg portion of the boot; and

the pocket spans approximately 360° about the cover.

16. The sleeve of claim 11 further comprising an elastic band wrapped about and covering the second end portion of the cover.

17. The sleeve of claim 11 further in combination with decorative indicia disposed within the pocket.

18. In a boot having a foot portion and a leg portion which defines a distal end portion, the improvement comprising a sleeve which includes:

an outer cover defining opposed first and second ends portions, the second end portion of the cover being attached to the leg portion of the boot such that the first end portion is disposed proximate the distal end portion thereof;

the cover at least partially circumventing the leg portion that the cover and the leg portion collectively define at least one pocket.

19. The sleeve of claim 18 further comprising a fastening mechanism which interposed between the first end portion of the cover and the distal end portion of the leg portion, and is movable between a fully open position opening the pocket and a fully closed position enclosing the pocket.

20. The sleeve of claim 18 wherein:

the pocket spans approximately 360° about the cover.