AU2010101150A4

AU2010101150A4 - A boot holder

Info

Publication number: AU2010101150A4
Application number: AU2010101150A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sandra Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2010-10-21
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-21

Description

1 A BOOT HOLDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to holders for use in storing boots. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Boots with a long leg, such as knee high boots, have become very popular in 10 recent years. However when not in use, the long leg section of the boot is not self supporting and tends to sag or fall over which can lead to damage and creasing of the boot material. Further, collapsed boots are unsightly and can present a hazard when left in the way. 15 In an attempt to address this problem individual inflatable boot inserts have been developed which are inserted into the boot and inflated to keep the boot leg in shape. Similar individual stuffed inserts are also available and are simply pushed into the boot when not in use to prevent sagging. 20 Although these devices reduce damage to and creasing of the boot material the boots tend to fall over and pose a tripping hazard to those walking around them. Furthermore, these devices do not keep a pair of boots together and the boots can become separated. 25 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved boot holder which overcomes the above problems or at least to provide an alternative to the current boot holders 30 2 STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a boot holder comprises a U-shaped body which has two legs joined at a junction wherein each leg of the U-shaped body 5 can be inserted into a boot to keep a pair of boots together and wherein a handle extends from the junction to facilitate handling of the holder. Preferably the unjoined end of each leg is weighted to facilitate insertion of the leg into a boot. 10 Preferably the unjoined end of each leg contains a pouch of plastic pellets. Preferably the legs of the body are sufficiently thick and long to substantially fill the boot to keep the boot erect. 15 Preferably the handle is in the shape of an animal head. Preferably the body is constructed of fabric casing and is stuffed with stuffing to form a soft, self supporting U-shape. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 25 Fig 1 is a front plan view of a boot holder according to the present invention. Fig 2 is a front perspective view of the boot holder of Fig 1 in use in a pair of boots. Fig 3 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the boot holder 30 of the present invention in use in a pair of boots.

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Fig 1, a boot holder 1 according to the present invention comprises a U-shaped body 2 having two legs 3 joined at junction 4 and a handle 5 which 5 extends from junction 4 of body 2 and facilitates placement and removal of the holder into and out of the boots. Boot holder 1 is made by filling a fabric case with stuffing material to form a soft, self supporting U-shape. Each leg 3 is inserted into a boot as shown in Figs 2 and 3. Legs 3 are 10 sufficiently thick and long to substantially fill the boot and hold it in shape to prevent the boot from sagging and becoming creased and damaged. In one form legs 3 have a 20 centimetre (8 inch) circumference and are 40.5 centimetres (16 inches) in length from the end of leg 3 to junction 4. Since legs 3 are joined the pair of boots are held together which prevents separation of the boots. 15 Furthermore, the boots being held together makes them more stable and reduces the risk of them falling over which also prevents damage and reduces the risk of people tripping over the boots when not in use. The unjoined end of each leg 3 contains a pouch 6 of plastic pellets which 20 provides weight to leg 3 to facilitate insertion of leg 3 into a boot. Preferably there is between 200-300 grams of plastic pellets in each leg. In one form handle 5 also forms a decorative feature. Figs 1 and 2 depict handle 5 in the shape of a cat head, however the person skilled in the art would 25 appreciate that handle 5 could be in the shape of any animal head or other decorative shape such as a dog, rabbit, horse, lion, bird, star, circle, triangle etc. In another form handle 5 can be a ring as shown in Fig 3. Again a person skilled in the art would understand that handle 5 could be any other suitable handle 30 extension and could be a continuation of the stuffed casing of the body or alternatively could be a rigid handle, such as a plastic handle, attached or sewn onto the body.

4 ADVANTAGES The present invention provides a boot holder that not only keeps the boot in shape to prevent damage to the boot but also keeps a pair of boots together. 5 The boot holder of the present invention, by keeping a pair of boots together, prevents separation of the boots and also reduces the risk of the boots falling over which further prevents damage to the boots and reduces the risk of people tripping over them when not in use. 10 VARIATIONS It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of 15 the invention as herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 20 25 30

Claims

1. A boot holder comprising a U-shaped body having two legs joined at a 5 junction wherein each leg of the U-shaped body can be inserted into a boot to keep a pair of boots together and wherein a handle extends from the junction to facilitate handling.

2. The boot holder of claim 1 wherein the free end of each leg is weighted to 10 facilitate insertion of the leg into a boot.

3. The boot holder of any of the preceding claims wherein the free end of each leg contains plastic pellets. 15

4. The boot holder of any of the preceding claims wherein the leg of the body is sufficiently thick and long to substantially fill the boot to keep the boot erect.

5. The boot holder of any of the preceding claims wherein the handle is in the 20 shape of an animal head. 25