CN113811225B

CN113811225B - Display, fixing and transport device for a pair of shoes

Info

Publication number: CN113811225B
Application number: CN202080020099.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 凯梅·雅克拉; 乌格斯·里维斯特; 马丁·拉伯格; 费利佩·勒菲弗尔
Original assignee: Frilka
Current assignee: Frilka
Priority date: 2019-03-11
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-10
Also published as: EP3937722A1; CN113811225A; GB202111706D0; CA3131278C; WO2020181370A1; CA3131278A1; US20220175102A1; EP3937722A4; GB2595165A

Abstract

Display, securing and shipping devices that may be used with many types of shoes, including boots, dress shoes, sandals, cleats, high-heeled shoes and casual shoes. The apparatus includes a first resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a perimeter of a first shoe of a pair of shoes. The first resilient body defines a toe receiving portion and a heel receiving portion; and the side strap connects the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion. The second resilient body is adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a second shoe of a pair of shoes. The first and second elastic bodies are co-aligned at their respective side bands and attached to each other. Mounting means are provided on the apparatus to receive the hanger.

Description

Display, fixing and transport device for a pair of shoes

Technical Field

In general, the present invention relates to a consumer product that enables a user to secure and transport shoes to a number of items, such as backpack straps, sports bags, and strap labels on a number of bags. It can also be used to mount shoes to walls, as well as other surfaces for display and storage purposes.

Background

Various types of carriers for shoes are known. For example, U.S. patent No. 4,669,772 teaches a carrier that includes a housing to receive and enclose at least a rear quarter of a pair of shoes. The shoe insert means is located in the rear quarter of the shoe to secure the shoe in the housing. The carrying handle is attached to the shoe insert device. The presence of the housing and shoe inserts within the shoe and within the housing will result in a relatively heavy and bulky shoe pack to be carried by the user.

U.S. patent No. 4,126, 255 teaches a ski boot carrier that includes a base wheel for sliding over ice and snow. The base runner is provided with a boot splint. The snowboard may also be transported by inserting the snowboard into a carrier between the boots. Such carriers are particularly suitable for snowboards and boots, but are not suitable for carrying other types of athletic or recreational shoes.

U.S. patent No. 5,785,223 teaches a boot carrier having a support member that is insertable into each boot to abut the medial heel portion of the boot. The carrier includes a tether strap that holds the pair of boots together and is convenient to carry. The carrier will allow the boots to be separated from each other by the length of the tether, which means that the boots can substantially freely swing from each other during carrying.

U.S. patent No. 8,714, 370 teaches a shoe clamp fitting for clamping a pair of shoes together for attachment to a bag. The clip has a portion that fits within the shoe and is held against the wall of the shoe. A locking mechanism secures the shoe in place and a load ring extends from the clamp. The metal clamping mechanism may produce a permanent mark on the shoe where the clamp has clamped the shoe.

US2009/0173647 teaches a shoe carrier having a central dividing wall within the body to define two cavities. The dividing wall includes an integral handle. The body includes a plurality of drain grooves and vents. Each cavity is open at the top for insertion of a shoe. The carrier strip attaches to the body to hold the shoe in place within the two cavities of the carrier. The carrier is somewhat large in size to accommodate shoes of different sizes, and straps are required to retain the shoes within the carrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe carrier that is lightweight and does not add large physical structures around or attached to the shoe.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier without parts that must be separated from each other in order to insert or install a shoe.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carrier that is simple to manufacture and that can accommodate shoes of different types and sizes without leaving marks on the shoes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be used to display, secure and transport shoes.

Disclosure of Invention

A display, securing and shipping apparatus for a pair of shoes includes a first resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a perimeter of a first shoe of a pair of shoes. The first resilient body defines a toe receiving portion and a heel receiving portion. The side strap connects the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion. The second resilient body is adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a second shoe of a pair of shoes. The second resilient body defines a toe receiving portion and a heel receiving portion. The side strap connects the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion. The first and second resilient bodies are co-aligned at their respective side straps and attached to each other, and mounting means are provided on the device to receive the hanger.

A shoe display, securing and shipping apparatus comprising: an elastic body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of an article of footwear. The resilient body defines a toe receiving portion and a heel receiving portion. The side strap connects the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion. The elastic body has a mounting means. The elastic body further includes a sole strap. The side straps define attachment points to receive fasteners for fastening the resilient body to a second resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a second article of footwear.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the present disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention holding a pair of shoes.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in isolation.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the present invention showing all of the components individually.

Fig. 4 is a series of four simplified side views (A, B, C, D) of the present invention to illustrate the method of inserting a shoe into the present invention.

Detailed Description

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.

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 in the form disclosed. Many modifications 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.

Turning now to fig. 1, a display, securing and transport apparatus for a pair of shoes is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 is shown securing a pair of shoes, also referred to as a first shoe in a pair of shoes 12 and a second shoe in a pair of shoes 14, respectively. It should be appreciated that although a pair of athletic shoes is shown in the figures for purposes of illustration, the apparatus may also be used to display, secure and transport other types of shoes, including boots, dress shoes, sandals, cleats, high-heeled shoes and casual shoes. For convenience and brevity, reference is sometimes made in this specification to a shoe or shoes, but it should be understood that this term is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to shoes only.

The display, securement and shipping apparatus 10 for a pair of shoes includes a first resilient body 16 adapted to retentively and releasably engage the periphery of the first shoe 12 of a pair of shoes. As can be seen in fig. 1, the location where the first resilient body engages the shoe 12 is the periphery of the shoe, which means that the resilient body 16 is in contact with the outer surface of the shoe and around the entire periphery of the shoe in contact with the shoe, adjacent the sole. The first resilient body 16 defines a toe receiving portion 18. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the toe receiving portion 18 is configured as a ring of resilient material, and the toes of the shoe may protrude partially through the center of the ring. Since the resilient body 16 is constructed of an elastic material, it can be simply stretched to receive the toes of the shoe within the toe receiving portion 18. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the toe receiving portion 18 is configured as a ring having two arms 20, 22. Both arms 20 and 22 will engage the surface of the shoe and provide two contact areas, one near the top of the shoe and one near the sole. Configuring the toe receiving portion 18 as a loop with an opening 58 facilitates accommodating various shoe lengths. A long shoe and/or a shoe with a sharp toe will protrude farther through the opening 58 in the ring than a short or round shoe.

The first resilient body 16 also defines a heel receiving portion 24 adapted to receive the heel of a shoe. The heel receiving portion 24 may also be configured as a ring having a first arm 26 and a second arm 28. Both the first arm 26 and the second arm 28 engage the periphery of the shoe, but provide two areas of contact with the heel of the shoe in adjacent positions. Preferably, the resilient body 16 additionally includes a sole strap 25 to provide additional points of contact to retain the shoe within the resilient body 16. Sole strip 25 typically contacts the sole at a location just forward of the heel of the shoe. A portion of the heel of the shoe may protrude through the opening 60 between the second arm 28 and the sole strip 25, particularly in the case of a long shoe. The side straps 30 connect the toe receiving portion 18 with the heel receiving portion 24. As best shown in fig. 2 and 3, the side straps 30 extend along both sides between the toe receiving portion 18 and the heel receiving portion 24 such that the first resilient body 16 completely surrounds the perimeter of the shoe and acts at all points on the perimeter to retain the shoe within the first resilient body 16.

The second resilient body 32 is adapted to retentively and releasably engage the periphery of the second shoe 14 of a pair of shoes. The second resilient body 32 defines a toe receiving portion 34, a heel receiving portion 36, and a side strap 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 substantially identical in structure and function. The first and second elastic bodies 16, 32 are co-aligned at their respective side bands 30, 38 and attached to one another. This results in the pair of shoes being held together in an orientation in which the soles of the shoes face together, the two heels together and the two toes together. This orientation provides a compact bundle that is portable. The positioning of the soles facing together reduces the likelihood of mud or dirt that may be present on the soles from contaminating the user or his handbag, backpack or other device. In addition, having the soles facing together means that the neck of the shoe faces outwards, enabling an air flow to reach the inside of the shoe. This orientation maximizes the air flow into the interior of the shoe to dry the footbed after the shoe is donned, a feature that is particularly advantageous for boots and athletic shoes.

The first and second elastic bodies 16, 32 may be attached together in many different ways. For example, a pair of magnets may be fixed to or embedded in the side straps at locations that allow for magnetic connection. Alternatively, the device 10 may be manufactured as a single piece with the side straps 30, 38 integrally connected.

In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the side bands 16 of the first elastic body define a first attachment opening 40. The side bands 38 of the second elastic body 32 define a second attachment opening 42. An attachment member 44 having a handle 45 is received through the first and second attachment openings 40, 42 whereby the first resilient body 16 is attached to the second resilient body 32 while allowing pivotal movement of the first resilient body 16 relative to the second resilient body 32. The ability to pivotally move between the first and second elastic bodies 16, 32 makes it easier for a user to stretch them and adjust their position relative to the periphery of the shoe. Preferably, the attachment member 44 is in the form of a double ended pin. It should be noted that the first and second elastic bodies are attached to each other at two positions so as to correspond to both sides of the shoe. The presence of the shoe in fig. 1 obscures the view of one of the attachment points such that only one attachment member 44 is visible. Two attachment members 44, 44 can be seen in fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows a separate attachment member 44 and a separate top attachment member 54, which define the mounting device 48.

The first resilient body 16 and the second resilient body 32 have a texture 46 for frictionally retaining against the periphery of the article of footwear. The texture may be created by a plurality of protrusions or depressions in the desired pattern. For illustration, a ribbed pattern may be seen on the surfaces of the first and second elastic bodies. This texture is best shown in fig. 1 and 2. The texture creates additional points of contact therebetween to improve gripping of the resilient body on the shoe. Various texturing patterns may be used to improve elasticity, reduce weight, and provide alternating visual appeal while continuing to improve grip of the shoe.

The display, securing and transport apparatus 10 for a pair of shoes has mounting means 48 to receive a hanger. In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 1, the mounting device 48 is configured to connect with additional attachment points. The first resilient body 16 defines a first top attachment opening 50 and the second resilient body 32 defines a second top attachment opening 52; and a top attachment member 54 having a handle is received through the first top attachment opening 50 and the second top attachment opening 52. Thus, the first elastic body 16 is attached to the second elastic body 32. Attachment member 54 defines mounting device 48 as a ring that may be threaded to receive hanger 56. For illustrative purposes, the shackle is shown in the drawings. The shackle will allow the user to clip the device 10 holding a pair of shoes onto a collar Li Xiedai, a backpack or even a clothes hook on a wall or other surface. Simpler alternatives are also possible. The mounting means 48 may be a simple ring formed as a ring through one or both of the resilient bodies 16, 32. In its most basic case, the mounting means 48 may simply be an opening in the elastic body.

The carrier of the present invention is constructed of an elastic material that enables it to retentively and releasably engage the periphery of an article of footwear. The elastic body is preferably made of rubber, and is manufactured by a vulcanization injection molding process. The thickness of the strap and the length of the strap will vary for use in lightweight, athletic, casual, and heavy duty industrial shoes. Other materials having sufficient elasticity may be used to create the desired expansion and compression around the periphery of the article of footwear adjacent the sole and to maintain the article of footwear in a compressed state until it is removed. By way of illustration only, the elastic body may be composed of thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or calcium filled rubber. For adult size, the elastic body has a thickness of 2-5 millimeters when relaxed and a length from the toe receiving portion to the heel receiving portion of about 20-23 centimeters. When stretched, the length of the elastic body will stretch to 40-45 cm and will fit around the perimeter of a typical adult shoe.

A method of using the display, securing and transporting apparatus 10 for a pair of shoes will now be discussed with reference to fig. 4. In a first step of the method, as shown in fig. 4, diagram a, the user inserts the toes of the first shoe 12 into the toe receiving portion 18 of the first resilient body 16, as indicated by the arrow. This is most easily accomplished if the user holds the resilient body 16 adjacent the heel-receiving portion 24, orients the shoe 12 with the sole facing the sole strip 25, and moves the shoe 12 downward so that the toe of the shoe is received within the toe-receiving portion 18. In the next step, as shown in fig. B, the user pulls the heel receiving portion 24 rearward to expand the elasticity of the elastic body, particularly through the side strap 30, to create the space required to insert the heel of the shoe into the heel receiving portion 24 of the elastic body 16. Then, the grip on the heel receiving portion 24 is released, and the elastic body 16 is contracted as indicated by an arrow to fix the heel of the shoe in the heel receiving portion 24. Figure C shows the first shoe 12 now being retainability and releasably engaged by the first resilient body 16 at its periphery. The second shoe 14 is then moved downwardly as indicated by the arrow so that the toe of the shoe 14 is disposed within the second toe receiving portion 34 of the second resilient body 32. Then, the user pulls the second heel receiving portion 36 rearward to expand the elasticity of the second elastic body 32, thereby stretching the second side strap 38 to create a space required for inserting the heel of the second shoe 14 into the second heel receiving portion 36. Then, as shown in fig. D, the user releases the force on the second heel receiving portion 36 as shown 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 co-aligned position with their soles facing together and may be attached to a backpack or other bag for transport, or hung on a hanger for storage or display.

The display, securement and shipping apparatus for a pair of shoes allows a user to visually display the style of shoes that are attributable to the user's personality or personality. The apparatus allows a user to store his shoes as storage space on an existing wall, eliminating the need for a shelving unit and increasing the vertical storage space in a smaller residential unit. The attachment members 44 may serve as mounting points to secure the strap to a desired surface (wall mount, pouch back mount). Decorative trim or visual identifiers may be applied to the outer surface of the attachment member 44. This feature may be used as a nametag to identify the owner of the shoe, or for aesthetic purposes only.

The display, securement and shipping apparatus 10 for a pair of shoes can be conceptualized as two separate resilient bodies, each forming an exoskeleton around the perimeter of the sole adjacent one of the pair of shoes. The shoe display, securing and shipping apparatus 10 includes a resilient body 16 adapted to retentively and releasably engage the periphery of the article of footwear 12. The resilient body 16 defines a toe receiving portion 18, a heel receiving portion 24, and a side strap 30 connecting the toe receiving portion 18 and the heel receiving portion 24. The apparatus has a mounting means for attachment to the hanger. The toe receiving portion 18 defines an opening 58 through which the toes of the article of footwear may protrude through the opening 58. The heel receiving portion 24 defines an opening 60 through which the heel of the article of footwear may protrude. The elastic body 16 also comprises a sole strip 25. The mount may include an opening defined through the resilient body 16 that is sized and positioned to receive the hanger. The side strap 30 defines an attachment point 40 to receive a fastener 44, the fastener 44 being for fastening the elastic body 16 to the second elastic body 32 adapted to retentively and releasably engage the periphery of the second article of footwear 14.

In another alternative embodiment, the first elastic body and the second elastic body may be manufactured as a single piece, rather than two pieces attached together by an attachment means.

In alternative embodiments, the elastic body may also be implemented with other materials that may be used to form openings for inserting the shoe and tightening the openings to secure the shoe in place.

Claims

1. A display, securing and shipping apparatus for a pair of shoes, said apparatus comprising:

a first resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a first shoe of a pair of shoes, the first resilient body defining a toe receiving portion, a heel receiving portion; a side strap connecting the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion;

a second resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a second shoe of a pair of shoes, the second resilient body defining a toe receiving portion, a heel receiving portion; a side strap connecting the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion;

the first and second elastic bodies are co-aligned at their respective side bands and attached to each other; the method comprises the steps of,

wherein the first resilient body defines a first top attachment opening and the second resilient body defines a second top attachment opening; and a top attachment member having a handle received through the first top attachment opening and the second top attachment opening, whereby the first resilient body is attached to the second resilient body;

wherein the side band of the first elastic body defines a first attachment opening; the side bands of the second elastic body define a second attachment opening; and an attachment member having a handle is received through the first and second attachment openings, whereby the first resilient body is attached to the second resilient body while allowing pivotal movement of the first resilient body relative to the second resilient body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second resilient bodies have a texture for frictionally retaining against the periphery of an article of footwear.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the top attachment member defines an opening to receive a hanger.

4. A shoe display, securing and shipping apparatus comprising:

a resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of an article of footwear, the resilient body defining a toe receiving portion, a heel receiving portion; a side strap connecting the toe receiving portion and the heel receiving portion; wherein the resilient body defines a top attachment opening; and a top attachment member having a shank is received through the top attachment opening, whereby the resilient body may be attached to a second resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of a second article of footwear.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the top attachment member defines an opening to receive a hanger.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the toe receiving portion defines an opening through which a toe of the article of footwear may protrude.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the heel receiving portion defines an opening through which a heel of the article of footwear may protrude.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the resilient body further comprises a sole strap.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting means comprises an opening defined through the resilient body, the opening being sized and positioned to receive a hanger.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the side strap defines an attachment point to receive a fastener for fastening the resilient body to the second resilient body, the second resilient body adapted to retentively and releasably engage a periphery of the second article of footwear.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the attachment point is an opening formed through the side strap to receive a fastener therethrough.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the resilient body is textured to frictionally hold against the periphery of the article of footwear.