c++ virtual constructor with shared_ptr

I am interested in whether it is possible to replicate the behaviour of the virtual constructor pattern (e.g. see virtual constructor example) using std::shared_ptr. The straightforward approach of replacing the raw pointers by shared pointers fails for somewhat obvious reasons (invalid covariant return type). I am interested if anyone knows of any alternatives that would support smart pointers.

Smart pointers are used everywhere in the project and the virtual constructor-like approach seems like the only approach possible for the problem I am currently working on...

I am not sure if the code is necessary, as it can be found in the link above, but, just in case:

class A
{

public:

    virtual std::shared_ptr<A> clone(void) const = 0;

    virtual void mymethod() const = 0;

};


class B : public A
{

    std::shared_ptr<B> clone(void) const
        {
            return (new B(*this));
        }

    void mymethod() const
        {
            std::cout << "type something";
        }

};

class C
{


public:

    void mymethod(std::shared_ptr<A const> MyB)
        {
            std::shared_ptr<A const> MyB2 = MyB -> clone();
            MyB2 -> mymethod();
        }

};