Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DISPLAY, SECURING AND TRANSPORTING DEVICE
FOR A PAIR OF FOOTWEAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a consumer product
which enables users to secure and transport their footwear onto numerous items
such as backpack straps, sports bags as well as the lash tags found on
numerous bags. It can also be used for mounting footwear to walls, and
additional surfaces for displaying and storage purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of carriers for footwear are known. For example,
US Patent No. 4,669,772 teaches a carrier which comprises a housing to receive
and enclose at least the rear quarter portions of a pair of shoes. A shoe
insert
means is positioned within the rear quarter of the shoes to secure the shoes
within the housing. A carrying handle is attached to the shoe insert means.
The
presence of a housing and a shoe insert positioned within the shoes and within
the housing will result in a relatively heavy and bulky footwear bundle to be
carried by a user.
[0003] US Patent No. 4,126,255 teaches a ski boot carrier which
comprises a base runner for sliding over ice and snow. Boot clamping plates
are
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carried on the base runner. Skis can also be transported by inserting the skis
into the carrier between the boots. This carrier is specially adapted for skis
and
boots, but would not be useful for carrying other types of athletic or casual
footwear.
[0004] US Patent No. 5,785,223 teaches a boot carrier having support
members which are insertable into each boot to bear against the inside heel
portions of the boots. The carrier includes a tether strap to hold a pair of
boots
together and to facilitate carrying. This carrier would permit the boots to be
separated from one another by the length of the tether, meaning that the boots
could essentially swing free of one another during carrying.
[0005] US Patent No. 8,714,370 teaches a footwear clamp accessory
used to clamp a pair of shoes together for attachment to a bag. The clamp has
portions which are fit inside the shoes and are retained against the walls of
the
shoes. A locking mechanism secures the shoes in place and a carrying loop
extends from the clamp. The metal clamping mechanism may cause lasting
marks on the footwear at positions where the clamp has gripped the shoes.
[0006] US patent application US2009/0173647 teaches a footwear
carrier having a center dividing wall within a body to define two cavities.
The
dividing wall includes an integral handle. The body includes a plurality of
drainage slots and aeration openings. Each of the cavities is open at the top
for
insertion of footwear. Carrier straps are attached to the body to hold the
footwear in position inside the two cavities of the carrier. This carrier is
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somewhat large in size to accommodate different sizes of footwear, and
requires
straps to retain the footwear within the carrier.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear
carrier
that is lightweight, and does not add a large physical structure surrounding
or
attached to the footwear.
[0008] It is a further object to provide a carrier which does not have a
component parts which must be detached from one another in order to insert or
install the footwear.
[0009] It is a further object to provide a carrier which is simple to
manufacture and which can accommodate different types and sizes of footwear,
and which does not leave marks on footwear.
[0010] It is
a further object of the present invention to provide a device which
can be used for the purposes of displaying, securing and transporting the
footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A display, securing and transporting device for a pair of footwear
comprises a first elastic body adapted to retainingly and releasably engage a
perimeter of a first one of a pair of footwear. The first elastic body defines
a toe
receiving portion and a heel receiving portion. A lateral band connects the
toe
receiving portion and the heel receiving portion. A second elastic body is
adapted to retaining and releasably engage a perimeter of a second one of a
pair
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of footwear. The second elastic body defines a toe receiving portion, and a
heel
receiving portion. A lateral band connects the toe receiving portion and the
heel
receiving portion. The first elastic body and the second elastic body are
coaligned and attached to one another at their respective lateral bands, a
mounting means is provided on the device to receive a hanger.
[0012] A footwear display, securing and transporting device comprises: an
elastic body adapted to retainingly and releasably engage a perimeter of an
article of footwear. The elastic body defines a toe receiving portion and a
heel
receiving portion. A lateral band connects the toe receiving portion and the
heel
receiving portion. The elastic body has a mounting means. The elastic body
further comprises an under sole band. The lateral band defines an attachment
point to receive a fastener for fastening the elastic body to a second elastic
body
adapted to retaining and releasably engage a perimeter of a second article of
footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description
of
the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is
not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the
drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention holding a pair
of
shoes.
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[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in
isolation.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention showing all of the
component parts in isolation.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a series of four simplified side views (A, B, C, D) of the
invention to illustrate the method of inserting shoes into the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used
herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
plural
forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations,
elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of
one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups thereof.
[0019] The
corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all
means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to
include
any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination
with
other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration but is not intended
to be
exhaustive or limited to the invention to the form disclosed. Many
modifications
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and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were
chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and
the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art
to
understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0020] Turning now to FIG. 1, a display, securing and transporting device
for a pair of footwear is identified generally by reference numeral 10. The
device
is shown securing a pair of footwear, also referred to individually as a first
one
of a pair of footwear 12 and a second one of the pair 14. It should be
understood
that although a pair of athletic shoes is shown for illustrative purposes in
the
drawings that the device can also be used to display, secure and transport
other
types of footwear, including boots, dress shoes, sandals, cleats, high heeled
shoes and casual shoes. For convenience and brevity, reference is sometimes
made to a shoe, or to shoes in the present description, but it should be
understood that this terminology is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention
to shoes only.
[0021] The display, securing and transporting device 10 for a pair of
footwear comprises a first elastic body 16 adapted to retainingly and
releasably
engage a perimeter of a first one 12 of a pair of footwear. As can be seen in
FIG.
1, the position at which the first elastic body engages the shoe 12 is the
perimeter of the shoe, meaning that the elastic body 16 is in contact with the
outer surface of the shoe and encircles an entire perimeter of the shoe with
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which it is in contact, adjacent to the shoe sole. The first elastic body 16
defines
a toe receiving portion 18. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1
and
FIG. 2, the toe receiving portion 18 is constructed as a loop of elastic
material
and the toe of the shoe can partially protrude through the center of the loop.
Since the elastic body 16 is constructed of an elastic material, it can simply
be
stretched to receive the toe of a shoe within the toe receiving portion 18. In
the
preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the toe receiving portion 18 is
constructed as a loop having two arms 20, 22. Loop arm 20 and loop arm 22 will
both engage the surface of the shoe and provide two regions of contact, one
near the top of the shoe and one near the sole of the shoe. Constructing the
toe
receiving portion 18 as a loop with an opening 58 is advantageous for
accommodating a variety of footwear lengths. Long shoes and/or shoes with
pointy toes will protrude farther through the opening 58 in the loop than will
short
or rounded shoes.
[0022] The first elastic body 16 also defines a heel receiving portion 24
adapted to receive the heel of a shoe. The heel receiving portion 24 can also
be
constructed as a loop having a first arm 26 and a second arm 28. The first arm
26 and the second arm 28 both engage the perimeter of the shoe, but at
adjacent
positions to provide two regions of contact with the heel of the shoe. It is
preferred that the elastic body 16 additionally comprises an under sole band
25
to provide an additional point of contact to retain the shoe within the
elastic body
16. The undersole band 25 would typically contact the shoe sole at a position
just ahead of the shoe heel. A portion of the heel of the shoe may protrude
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through opening 60 between the second arm 28 and the under sole band 25,
particularly in the case of long shoes. A lateral band 30 connects the toe
receiving portion 18 with the heel receiving portion 24. As best seen in FIG.
2,
and FIG 3 the lateral band 30 extends along two sides between the toe
receiving
portion 18 and the heel receiving portion 24 so that the first elastic body 16
completely encircles the perimeter of the shoe and acts at all points on that
perimeter to retain the shoe within the first elastic body 16.
[0023] A second elastic body 32 is adapted to retainingly and releasably
engage a perimeter of a second one 14 of a pair of footwear. The second
elastic
body 32 defines a toe receiving portion 34, a heel receiving portion 36, and a
lateral band 38 connecting the toe receiving portion 34 and the heel receiving
portion 36. The first elastic body 16 and the second elastic body 32 are
essentially the same in structure and function. The first elastic body 16 and
the
second elastic body 32 are coaligned and attached to one another at their
respective lateral bands 30, 38. This results in the pair of shoes being held
together in an orientation with the soles of the shoes facing together, both
heels
together and both toes together. This orientation provides a compact bundle
for
ease of carrying. The positioning of the soles facing together decreases the
likelihood of mud or dirt which might be present on the soles rubbing off on a
user or their hand bag, backpack or other equipment. Additionally, having the
soles facing together means that the neck of the shoe faces outward enabling
airflow to reach the interior of the shoe. This orientation maximizes air flow
into
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the interior of the shoe to dry the footbed after the shoes have been worn, a
feature particularly advantageous for boots and athletic shoes.
[0024] The first elastic body 16 and the second elastic body 32 may be
attached together in many different ways. For example, a pair of magnets could
fixed to or embedded within the lateral bands at positions to permit magnetic
connection. Alternatively, the device 10 could be manufactured as a single
piece
in which the lateral bands 30, 38 are integrally connected.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and
FIG.
3 the lateral band 16 of the first elastic body defines a first attachment
opening
40. The lateral band 38 of the second elastic body 32 defines a second
attachment opening 42. An attachment member 44 having a shank 45 is
received through the first attachment opening 40 and through the second
attachment opening 42, whereby the first elastic body 16 is attached to the
second elastic body 32, while permitting pivotal motion of the first elastic
body 16
relative to the second elastic body 32. The ability for pivotal motion between
the
first elastic body 16 and the second elastic body 32 makes it easier for a
user to
stretch them and adjust their positions relative to the perimeter of the
shoes.
Preferably the attachment member 44 is in the form of a double headed pin. It
should be noted that the first and second elastic bodies are attached to one
another at two positions, to correspond with both sides of a shoe. The
presence
of the shoes in FIG. 1 obscures the view of one of the points of attachment,
such
that only one attachment member 44 is visible. Both attachment members 44, 44
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can be seen in FIG. 2. FIG 3 shows an attachment member 44 in isolation and a
top attachment member 54 in isolation defining a mounting means 48.
[0026] The first elastic body 16 and the second elastic body 32 are
textured 46 for frictional retention against the perimeter of the articles of
footwear. The texture can be created by a plurality of protrusions or
indentations
in a desired pattern. For illustration, the pattern of ribbed lines is can be
seen on
the surface of the first and second elastic bodies. The texture is best seen
in
FIG. 1 and FIG 2. The texture creates additional contact points between to
improve the grip elastic bodies on the footwear. Various patterns of texture
could
be used that will improve elasticity, reduce weight and provide alternate
visual
appeal while continuing to improve the grip of the shoe.
[0027] The display, securing and transporting device 10 for a pair of
footwear has mounting means 48 to receive a hanger. In a preferred
embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 1, the mounting means 48 is constructed in
connection with an additional attachment point. The first elastic body 16
defines
a first top attachment opening 50 and the second elastic body 32 defines a
second top attachment opening 52; and a top attachment member 54 having a
shank is received through the first top attachment opening 50 and through the
second top attachment opening 52. Thus, the first elastic body 16 is attached
to
the second elastic body 32. The attachment member 54 defines a mounting
means 48, being a ring through which a hanger 56 may be received. For
illustrative purposes a carabiner is shown in the drawings. A carabiner would
allow a user to clip the device 10 holding a pair of shoes to a luggage
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loop, a backpack or even a clothes hook on a wall or other surface. Simpler
alternatives are also possible. The mounting means 48 can be a simple ring
formed as a loop through one or both of the elastic bodies 16, 32. At its most
basic, the mounting means 48 could simply be an opening in the elastic body.
[0028] The
carrier of the present invention is constructed from an elastic
material which enables it to retainingly and releasably engage the perimeter
of an
item of footwear. The elastic body is preferably constructed of rubber, and is
manufactured through the vulcanization injection molding process. The
thickness of bands and the length of the bands will be varied to work for
lightweight, athletic, casual footwear and heavy industrial footwear. Other
materials having sufficient elasticity to create the expansion and compression
necessary to surround the perimeter of an article of footwear adjacent its
sole,
and to hold the article of footwear in compression, until it is removed could
be
used. By way of illustration only, the elastic body may be constructed
Thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or calcium
filled
rubber. For an adult size, the elastic body has a thickness, when relaxed, of
2-5
millimeters, and a length from toe receiving portion to heel receiving portion
of
approximately 20-23 centimeters. When stretched the length of the elastic body
will stretch to 40-45 centimeters and will fit around the perimeter of a
typical
adult's shoe.
[0029] The
method of using the display, securing and transporting device 10
for a pair of footwear will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 4. In the
first
step in the method, illustrated in drawing A of FIG. 4, the user will insert
the toe
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of a first shoe 12 into the toe receiving portion 18 of the first elastic body
16 as
shown by the arrow. This is most easily accomplished if the user holds the
elastic body 16 near the heel receiving portion 24, orients the shoe 12 with
the
sole facing the under sole band 25, and moves the shoe 12 downward so that
the toe of the shoe is received in the toe receiving portion 18. In the next
step,
as illustrated in drawing B, the user pulls back on the heel receiving portion
24
expanding the elasticity of the elastic body, especially through the lateral
band 30
to create the required room to insert the heel of the shoe into the heel
receiving
portion 24 of the elastic body 16. The grip on the heel receiving portion 24
is then
released and the elastic body 16 contracts as represented by the arrow, to
secure the heel of the shoe within the heel receiving portion 24. Drawing C
shows the first shoe 12 now retainingly and releasably engaged at its
perimeter
by the first elastic body 16. The second shoe 14 is then moved downwardly as
shown by the arrow setting the toe of the shoe 14 within the second toe
receiving
portion 34 of the second elastic body 32. The user then pulls back on the
second
heel receiving portion 36 expanding the elasticity of the second elastic body
32
stretching the second lateral band 38 to create the required room to insert
the
heel of the second shoe 14 into the second heel receiving portion 36. Then, as
shown in drawing D, the user releases the force on the second heel receiving
portion 36 as indicated by the downward arrow, allowing the second elastic
body
32 to contract to secure the heel of the second shoe 14 within the second heel
receiving portion 36. Both shoes are now secured in a coaligned position with
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their soles facing together, and can be attached to a backpack or other bag
for
transport, or hung on a hook for storage or display.
[0030] The display, securing and transporting device for a pair of footwear
allow the user to visually display their style of footwear that can be
attributed to
the user's personality or character. The device permits users to store their
footwear on an existing wall as a storage space eliminating the need for
shelving
units and increasing the vertical storage space in smaller dwelling units. The
attachment members 44 can be can be used as mounting points to secure the
bands to the desired surface (wall mount, bag back mount). Decorative
embellishments or visual identifiers can be applied to the exterior surface of
the
attachment members 44. This feature could be used as a name tag to identify
the owner of the footwear, or purely for esthetic purposes.
[0031] The display, securing and transporting device 10 for a pair of
footwear can be conceptualized as two individual elastic bodies, each of which
forms an exoskeleton around the perimeter adjacent to the sole of one of the
pair
of footwear. A footwear display, securing and transporting device 10 comprises
an elastic body 16 adapted to retainingly and releasably engage a perimeter of
an article 12 of footwear. The elastic body 16 defines a toe receiving portion
18,
a heel receiving portion 24, and a lateral band 30 connecting the toe
receiving
portion18 and the heel receiving portion 24. The device has a mounting means
for attachment to a hanger. The toe receiving portion 18 defines an opening 58
through which a toe of the article of footwear may protrude. The heel
receiving
portion 24 defines an opening 60 through which a heel of the article of
footwear
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may protrude. The elastic body 16 further comprises an under sole band 25. The
mounting may comprise an opening defined through the elastic body 16 sized
and positioned to receive a hanger. The lateral band 30 defines an attachment
point 40 to receive a fastener 44 for fastening the elastic body 16 to a
second
elastic body 32 adapted to retainingly and releasably engage a perimeter of a
second article 14 of footwear.
[0032] In a further alternative embodiment, the first elastic body and
the
second elastic body can be manufactured as a single piece instead of as two
pieces attached together by an attachment means.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the elastic body can also be
achieved with other materials that can be used to create the opening to insert
shoe and tighten the opening to secure the footwear in place.
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