GB2073007A - Boot shaper - Google Patents

Abstract

A boot shaper for treating creases or stretch marks in legged boots, comprising a sock (10) which is inflatable through a valve 20 and is deflatable through an air pressure relief means (22). The shaper includes a flexible handle (18) of flat strip material to facilitate handling of the shaper. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boot shaper Field of Invention This invention relates to a boot shaper.

Background to the Invention Legged boots, in particular riding boots or ladies' fashion boots, are liable with use to become marred in appearance by marks due to stretching and creasing, and it is an object of this invention to provide means whereby these marks can be reduced or eliminated.

The ,'nvention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a boot shaper which comprises a sock of impervious flexible material, said sock having a foot portion closed at the toe end and a leg portion closed at the upper end except for air inlet means enabling said sock after insertion in a boot, to be inflated to pressurise the boot from the interior thereof, air pressure relief means being provided to enable the sock to be deflated for removal from the boot, and a handle means being provided which is accessible at the upper end of the leg portion of the inserted sock to facilitate removal of the deflated sock from the boot, the handle means comprising a flat strip of flexible material.

By inserting the inflatable sock into a boot, inflating the sock, and leaving the boot pressurised by the inflated sock for a period of time, the boot can be restored substantially to its unmarked condition.

The sock is then readily deflated and easily removed from the boot by use of the handle means. The handle means can additionally be used to hang the shaper from a suitable peg or the like, both when in use or not in use, and also to facilitate carrying.

It is to be noted that the flexible sock and handle are collapsible when deflated, thus enabling flat packing of the shaper.

The air pressure relief means preferably comprises a manually operable relief valve at the upper end of the leg of the sock. In one embodiment, however, the air inlet means comprises an air inlet valve adapted for connection of a separate air pump, and in this case the said air inlet valve may be of the type conventionally used in inflatable swimming rings and the like, normally acting only to admit air but having a needle or plunger which can be manually depressed to permit release of air from the interior. Thus, the air inlet valve may also constitute the air pressure relief means.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings Figure 1 shows in perspective a boot shaper in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through the cap of the boot shaper of Figure 1, diagrammatically indicating the structure of the valves.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The embodiment of boot shaper shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an inflatable sock 10 made of sheet rubber or other suitable impervious flexible sheet material. The sock 10 has a leg portion 12 and a foot portion 14 closed at the toe end. The leg portion is closed at its upper end by a valved reinforced cap 1 6 and is provided with an integrally attached handle 8 in the form of a flat strip of flexible material extending from one side of the sock to the other above the end of the sock so as to protrude beyond the top, open end of a boot when the sock has been inserted therein and pressurised. The handle 1 8 thus enables the sock to be readily pulled out of the boot after use and also enables the sock to be suspended from a hook or the like, either when in use or not.The handle also enables the boot shaper to be readily carried.

There are two valves in the cap, an air inlet valve 20 through which the sock can be inflated and an air pressure relief valve 22 through which the sock can be inflated and an air pressure relief valve through which the sock can be deflated.

The air inlet valve 20 is of conventional type, having a nozzle 24 enabling a separate pump (not shown) to be attached, such as a hand pump or a foot pump, in which nozzle is incorporated a tubular valve casing 26 in which is slidable a spring-loaded, headed needle or plunger 28. The valve opens under pressure of air applied into the nozzle 24 from the separate pump, thereby to inflate the sock. However, the plunger 28 can be manually depressed with a pointed tool, thereby permitting exit of air from the sock.

The air pressure relief valve 22 has a spring loaded plunger 30 adapted to remain closed on a seating 32 up to a predetermined high internal pressure, the plunger 30 carrying an exposed head 34 which can be utilised to lift the plunger manually, open the valve and thereby deflate the sock.

In use, the deflated, or preferably partially inflated, sock is inserted into the boot to be pressurised to reduce or eliminate crease or stretch marks. The sock is then fully inflated to chosen internal air pressure by use of the separate pump. The boot is then left in pressurised condition for a period of time sufficient to treat the crease or stretch marks. Thereafter the sock is deflated by use of the air pressure relief valve and is easily removed from the boot by pulling on the handle while holding the boot.

1. A boot shaper which comprises a sock of impervious flexible material, said sock having a foot portion closed at the toe end and a leg portion dlosed at the upper end except for air inlet means enabling said sock, after insertion in a boot, to be inflated to pressurise the boot from the interior thereof, an air pressure relief means being provided to enable the sock to be deflated for

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Boot shaper Field of Invention This invention relates to a boot shaper. Background to the Invention Legged boots, in particular riding boots or ladies' fashion boots, are liable with use to become marred in appearance by marks due to stretching and creasing, and it is an object of this invention to provide means whereby these marks can be reduced or eliminated. The ,'nvention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a boot shaper which comprises a sock of impervious flexible material, said sock having a foot portion closed at the toe end and a leg portion closed at the upper end except for air inlet means enabling said sock after insertion in a boot, to be inflated to pressurise the boot from the interior thereof, air pressure relief means being provided to enable the sock to be deflated for removal from the boot, and a handle means being provided which is accessible at the upper end of the leg portion of the inserted sock to facilitate removal of the deflated sock from the boot, the handle means comprising a flat strip of flexible material. By inserting the inflatable sock into a boot, inflating the sock, and leaving the boot pressurised by the inflated sock for a period of time, the boot can be restored substantially to its unmarked condition. The sock is then readily deflated and easily removed from the boot by use of the handle means. The handle means can additionally be used to hang the shaper from a suitable peg or the like, both when in use or not in use, and also to facilitate carrying. It is to be noted that the flexible sock and handle are collapsible when deflated, thus enabling flat packing of the shaper. The air pressure relief means preferably comprises a manually operable relief valve at the upper end of the leg of the sock. In one embodiment, however, the air inlet means comprises an air inlet valve adapted for connection of a separate air pump, and in this case the said air inlet valve may be of the type conventionally used in inflatable swimming rings and the like, normally acting only to admit air but having a needle or plunger which can be manually depressed to permit release of air from the interior. Thus, the air inlet valve may also constitute the air pressure relief means. The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the Drawings Figure 1 shows in perspective a boot shaper in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through the cap of the boot shaper of Figure 1, diagrammatically indicating the structure of the valves. Detailed Description of the Drawings The embodiment of boot shaper shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an inflatable sock 10 made of sheet rubber or other suitable impervious flexible sheet material. The sock 10 has a leg portion 12 and a foot portion 14 closed at the toe end. The leg portion is closed at its upper end by a valved reinforced cap 1 6 and is provided with an integrally attached handle 8 in the form of a flat strip of flexible material extending from one side of the sock to the other above the end of the sock so as to protrude beyond the top, open end of a boot when the sock has been inserted therein and pressurised. The handle 1 8 thus enables the sock to be readily pulled out of the boot after use and also enables the sock to be suspended from a hook or the like, either when in use or not.The handle also enables the boot shaper to be readily carried. There are two valves in the cap, an air inlet valve 20 through which the sock can be inflated and an air pressure relief valve 22 through which the sock can be inflated and an air pressure relief valve through which the sock can be deflated. The air inlet valve 20 is of conventional type, having a nozzle 24 enabling a separate pump (not shown) to be attached, such as a hand pump or a foot pump, in which nozzle is incorporated a tubular valve casing 26 in which is slidable a spring-loaded, headed needle or plunger 28. The valve opens under pressure of air applied into the nozzle 24 from the separate pump, thereby to inflate the sock. However, the plunger 28 can be manually depressed with a pointed tool, thereby permitting exit of air from the sock. The air pressure relief valve 22 has a spring loaded plunger 30 adapted to remain closed on a seating 32 up to a predetermined high internal pressure, the plunger 30 carrying an exposed head 34 which can be utilised to lift the plunger manually, open the valve and thereby deflate the sock. In use, the deflated, or preferably partially inflated, sock is inserted into the boot to be pressurised to reduce or eliminate crease or stretch marks. The sock is then fully inflated to chosen internal air pressure by use of the separate pump. The boot is then left in pressurised condition for a period of time sufficient to treat the crease or stretch marks. Thereafter the sock is deflated by use of the air pressure relief valve and is easily removed from the boot by pulling on the handle while holding the boot. CLAIMS

1. A boot shaper which comprises a sock of impervious flexible material, said sock having a foot portion closed at the toe end and a leg portion dlosed at the upper end except for air inlet means enabling said sock, after insertion in a boot, to be inflated to pressurise the boot from the interior thereof, an air pressure relief means being provided to enable the sock to be deflated for removal from the boot, and a handle means being provided which is accessible at the upper end of the leg portion of the inserted sock to facilitate removal of the deflated sock from the boot, the handle means comprising a flat strip of flexible material.

2. A boot shaper according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure relief means comprises a manually operable relief valve at the upper end of the leg of the sock.

3. A boot shaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air inlet means comprises an air inlet valve adapted for connection of a separate air pump.

4. A boot shaper according to claim 3, wherein said air inlet valve also constitutes the air pressure relief means.

5. A boot shaper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.