GB2075822A

GB2075822A - Shoe racks

Info

Publication number: GB2075822A
Application number: GB8013873A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-04-26
Filing date: 1980-04-26
Publication date: 1981-11-25

Abstract

A rod 3 is arranged to stand on a floor, and is prevented from toppling by engagement of its upper end (e.g. as by ring 1) with a support. Trays 10 are engaged over narrow portion 2 of rod 3, and are subsequently slidden down the rod. Frictional engagement between clip portions 4 and rod 3 is sufficient to hold the trays in their desired positions. Each tray holds one shoe. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shoe tray The invention consists of: (1) A hollow/solid rod of uniform diameter except at the top end where it is narrow for a short length and is topped by a ring for hanging on a nail in a wall. The bottom end finishes up in a rolled-up fashion on which will sit the trays as described in (2) below. The base of the rod may be varied in shape as different extensions from it. Holes are provided in the rod for fixing it to a wall.

(2) The trays mentioned above ride the rod in a vertical fashion but point in different directions and lie horizontally one above the other. Through an open ring 1-1 " in height which is attached to the tray at a short distance from it, the tray is slipped on to the rod at its narrow end. The ring fits closely to the rod and there is no sideways movement. The first tray slides to the bottom end of the rod on which more trays may be added.

The tray is the real part of the invention. It will hold most types and sizes of shoes. The tray is attached by a short connection to the open ring which fits the rod. The tray is a modified form of the sole of a shoe. The end nearest the rod is round and a vertical border surrounds three sides of the tray. The fourth side of the tray which is farthest away from the rod is open flat and straight except for a short, vertically-raised lip from the base of the tray which is cut-out in parts to leave a skeleton base which is as wide as its surrounding border.

The round end of the tray is slightly extended upwards. Each tray carries one shoe.

See enclosed drawing.

The advantage of the invention is that it is a space-saver. Also, shoes on it can be easily identified, stacked and removed. Any number of shoes can be stacked depending on the length of the rod. It is easy to put together and can be used as a personal shoe-rack. It is easily removable for another use at a different place. It can also be used for storing small items like spanners etc.

1. Any adaptation or modification in any shape or form of the idea of GILL'S SHOE-TIDY design will be an infringement of the concept of the original and unique design.

2. The shoe-tray is specially made to accommodate most types and sizes of shoes for any age group and for all sexes. It is a unique shape.

3. The particular features of the tray design are that a shoe, once placed inside it, will not slip out forwards or sideways. The tray boundary and the small lip will stop the shoes from falling over. The lip will tilt the shoes slightly towards the rod.

4. Each tray and its ring which fits on the rod will carry a shoe of average weight and size. This renders easy for the caring and storing of a shoe.

5. The ring that fits on the rod is of sufficient height so that when two trays are placed in line one on each side of the rod and a third tray is placed between them, a fourth tray can be placed directly above the first tray and the distance between them will accommodate one average size shoe.

6. The length of the rod can be altered to increase/decrease the storage capacity per unit.

7. The rod when hung and fixed by nails/screws to a wall with its base touching the floor will give added support to the unit to carry weight of the total number of shoes.

8. The open ring which carries the tray on the rod will closely fit the rod without any sideways movement.

9. The trays can be mounted on the entire length of the rod one open ring on top of another open ring so that the distances between adjacent trays in a vertical plain will accommodate a shoe of average weight.

There will be at least three such vertical plains.

10. The shoe-tidy can be fixed to any vertical surface usually a wall. It can be easily removed and transferred to another point.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on See schedule below Superseded claims All claims filed up to 29-4-81 New or amended claims: 1-32...(Filed 20.5.81) 33-36...(Filed 15.5.81) 37-43 ...(Filed 18.5.81) 44-45...(Filed 21-5-81) Note. The discrepancy between the "number order" of the claims and the dates of filing appears to be due to postal delay in the transmission of new claims 1-32.

1. A shoe tidy having a vertical support that may or may not extend from a base, and at least one shoe-tray to be borne by the support at a level above the base or at the level of the bottom end of the support, the support having a lower portion and an upper portion of reduced cross-section as compared with the lower portion, the shoe-tray being mountable on the lower portion of the support by a part having a bore through it which corresponds in cross-section to the lower portion of the support and a lateral slot of lesser

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shoe tray The invention consists of: (1) A hollow/solid rod of uniform diameter except at the top end where it is narrow for a short length and is topped by a ring for hanging on a nail in a wall. The bottom end finishes up in a rolled-up fashion on which will sit the trays as described in (2) below. The base of the rod may be varied in shape as different extensions from it. Holes are provided in the rod for fixing it to a wall. (2) The trays mentioned above ride the rod in a vertical fashion but point in different directions and lie horizontally one above the other. Through an open ring 1-1 " in height which is attached to the tray at a short distance from it, the tray is slipped on to the rod at its narrow end. The ring fits closely to the rod and there is no sideways movement. The first tray slides to the bottom end of the rod on which more trays may be added. The tray is the real part of the invention. It will hold most types and sizes of shoes. The tray is attached by a short connection to the open ring which fits the rod. The tray is a modified form of the sole of a shoe. The end nearest the rod is round and a vertical border surrounds three sides of the tray. The fourth side of the tray which is farthest away from the rod is open flat and straight except for a short, vertically-raised lip from the base of the tray which is cut-out in parts to leave a skeleton base which is as wide as its surrounding border. The round end of the tray is slightly extended upwards. Each tray carries one shoe. See enclosed drawing. The advantage of the invention is that it is a space-saver. Also, shoes on it can be easily identified, stacked and removed. Any number of shoes can be stacked depending on the length of the rod. It is easy to put together and can be used as a personal shoe-rack. It is easily removable for another use at a different place. It can also be used for storing small items like spanners etc. CLAIMS 1. Any adaptation or modification in any shape or form of the idea of GILL'S SHOE-TIDY design will be an infringement of the concept of the original and unique design. 2. The shoe-tray is specially made to accommodate most types and sizes of shoes for any age group and for all sexes. It is a unique shape. 3. The particular features of the tray design are that a shoe, once placed inside it, will not slip out forwards or sideways. The tray boundary and the small lip will stop the shoes from falling over. The lip will tilt the shoes slightly towards the rod. 4. Each tray and its ring which fits on the rod will carry a shoe of average weight and size. This renders easy for the caring and storing of a shoe. 5. The ring that fits on the rod is of sufficient height so that when two trays are placed in line one on each side of the rod and a third tray is placed between them, a fourth tray can be placed directly above the first tray and the distance between them will accommodate one average size shoe. 6. The length of the rod can be altered to increase/decrease the storage capacity per unit. 7. The rod when hung and fixed by nails/screws to a wall with its base touching the floor will give added support to the unit to carry weight of the total number of shoes. 8. The open ring which carries the tray on the rod will closely fit the rod without any sideways movement. 9. The trays can be mounted on the entire length of the rod one open ring on top of another open ring so that the distances between adjacent trays in a vertical plain will accommodate a shoe of average weight. There will be at least three such vertical plains. 10. The shoe-tidy can be fixed to any vertical surface usually a wall. It can be easily removed and transferred to another point. New claims or amendments to claims filed on See schedule below Superseded claims All claims filed up to 29-4-81 New or amended claims: 1-32...(Filed 20.5.81) 33-36...(Filed 15.5.81) 37-43 ...(Filed 18.5.81) 44-45...(Filed 21-5-81) Note. The discrepancy between the "number order" of the claims and the dates of filing appears to be due to postal delay in the transmission of new claims 1-32.

1. A shoe tidy having a vertical support that may or may not extend from a base, and at least one shoe-tray to be borne by the support at a level above the base or at the level of the bottom end of the support, the support having a lower portion and an upper portion of reduced cross-section as compared with the lower portion, the shoe-tray being mountable on the lower portion of the support by a part having a bore through it which corresponds in cross-section to the lower portion of the support and a lateral slot of lesser width than the bore leading into the bore, but of sufficient width to pass laterally over the upper portion of the support.

2. A shoe tidy according to claim 1 having a plurality of the said shoe-trays to be borne on the support with one resting on top of another in different vertical planes, the lower portion of the support being of circular section so that shoe-trays when mounted are independently rotatable in horizontal planes about/around the support.

3. A shoe tidy according to claims 1 and 2 with a unique shoe-tray which is open at one end and round at the other and a raised wall or lip around it perpendicular to the skeleton base, the wall or lip at the open end being lesser in height than the wall or lip around the remaining sides of the skeleton base.

4. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims with each shoe-tray having a cut-out base with sectional walls lesser in height and length than the wall at the open end of the shoe4ray, all walls acting as supports to tilt backwards a shoe of normal shape and dimensions placed in the shoe tray.

5. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims, with a shoe tray having a wall or lip around it to prevent a shoe from slipping out.

6. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims with a shoe tray having a base cut out in sections and sectional walls to facilitate storage/rest of ladies' or children's shoes.

7. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims with shoe-trays which can be arranged in different vertical planes so that each tray may carry a shoe independently and be rotatable about the support.

8. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims with a unique shoe-tray system capable of being stood up either independently on a base or being secured to a vertical surface with lower portion of the support resting on a flat surface.

9. A shoe tidy according to anyof the preceding claims which can be stood up independentlywhenthe lower portion of the support has a base of a suitable shape either constructed from projections round the lower portion at the bottom of the support or fixing the bottom end of the lower portion of the support into a base which is independent but designed with a receptable to accept the lower end of the support.

10. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims where the support may be formed in separable parts.

11. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims with unique shoe-trays which can hold a left or a right shoe of average size, shape, weight and form.

12. The shoe-tidy is so designed that it can hold shoe-trays in any number of vertical plains and not necessarily to three as suggested in original appiication. For such vertical plains to be all around it the main rod would need modification at its base to ensure proper balancing.

I would be obliged to be advised that my application is now in order.

12. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support may be centrally arranged in a circular, triangular, rectangular or sectional base which has a plurality of compartments, separated by radial separating walls.

13. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims wherein all parts may be manufactured either from synthetic plastics material by an injection moulding process or from wire used for wire-trays for office useorfrom any suitable material.

14. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims which makes efficient use of space and cares for each shoe separately.

15. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims and with a unique tray-system as described can also be called: Shoe-stand Shoe-pack Shoe-rack Shoe-guard Shoe-room Shoe-tuck Shoe-stack Shoe-ruck Shoe-pride Shoe-stay Shoe-rax Shoe-master Shoe-prim Shoe-care Shoe-bug Shoe-hanger Shoe-fare Shoe-box Shoe-case Shoe-grid Shoe-away Shoe-place Shoe-pile Shoe-space Shoe-store Shoe-high Shoe-pound Shoe-stall Shoe-wall Shoe-hold Shoe-caddy Shoe-site Shoe-bank Shoe-bin Shoe-safe Shoe-spacer Shoe-plan Shoe-shelf Shoe-show Shoe-stop Shoe-hogger Shoe-rest Shoe-park Shoe-sticker Shoe-hold Shoe-storey Shoe-serf Shoe-rux Shoe-thing Shoe-comb Shoe-ladder

16. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support is circular in cross-section.

17. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims wherein the upper portion ends in a ring which may be used to carry the shoe tidy or hang it down from a support.

18. A shoe tidy according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support is provided with holes along the wider cross-section part for securing it to a vertical surface.

19. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said shoe-tray having the bore and slot is a boss attached either directly to round end of the shoe-tray wall or lip behind the vertical shield or by means of a connection, the boss resting on flat surface base when the shoe-tray is mounted on the support.

20. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein shoe-trays may be mounted on the upper portion at the narrow cross-section and allowed to slide down along the support with the boss of the first one forming a base for boss of the second one, a boss of the third sitting on boss for the second, and so on.

21. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a shoe-tray is removable by sliding it upwards to the narrow cross-section of the upper end and then removing it through the slot of the boss.

22. A shoe-tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shoe-trays can be arranged in different vertical planes and shoe-trays in any one vertical plane can be arranged so that each tray in that vertical plane carries one shoe which may be of left or right foot, normal size, shape, weight and form, each shoe-tray being rotatable about the support through 360" on less depending on the way in which the shoe-tidy is used - whether with a base or without it but fixed to a vertical surface.

23. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein shoe-trays may be of dimensional proportions which may or may not accommodate entire sole of a a shoe placed in a shoe-tray, the shoe so placed being of average shape, size, weight and form.

24. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein shoe-trays are of dimensional proportions that accommodate most children's shoes along entire length of their soles.

25. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein shoe-trays have cutout bases, the resulting skeleton being such that the dimensions of the apertures will be of sizes and shapes to disallow small-sized shoes from slipping through them.

26. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the number of apertures or cutout sections and their shapes and sizes may vary in each shoe-tray.

27. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the number of sectional walls and their dimensions may vary in each shoe-tray.

28. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each shoe-tray has a continuous base of uniform width along the entire length of the perpendicular wall or lip of each shoe-tray, thus providing sufficient platform for an average shoe.

29. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the additional, perpendicular and rectangular shield at the round end of each shoe-tray corresponds to the curvature of the raised wall or lip of each shoe-tray.

30. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each shoe-tray is horizontal at almost right angle to the support with its occupying shoe tilted backwards by means of sectional walls of varying heights and roughly parallel to the wall at the open end.

31. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the necessary tilting action of the occupying shoe is achievable by means other than that described in claim 30 e.g. one or more walls of rising gradient stretching from the round end of the shoe-tray to its open end or, designing the shoe-tray in such a way so that when it is mounted on the support its open end is at a higher incline than the round end, the angle of incline being uniform for all shoe-trays on the shoe-tidy.

32. Shoe tidies according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

33. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base may be of any shape and be manufactured from synthetic plastics material by an injection moulding process, or from wire used for wire-trays for office or from any suitable material.

34. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a shoe-tray of any design, for single or multiple shoes in each, of any shape or form, that will perform essentially the same function as executed by the shoe-tray or the shoe-tidy as hereto described.

35. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a shoe-tidy, although primarily meant to carry shoes of most shapes, sizes, weights and forms may be adapted or used for any other purpose.

36. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shoe tidy resembles in appearance, function, design, character and execution of purpose as that carried out by any other applicance, item or apparatus.

37. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the purpose and function of the shoe tidy may be carried out by an appliance, item or an apparatus in which any of the functioning parts may be adaptations of the parts of the shoe tidy as herein described.

38. A shoe-tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a shoe-tray, not necessarily of the shape or design as described herein, may sit on, be attached to or ride the central support by means not described herein e.g. more than one shoe-tray in one horizontal plane may stay fixed on the central support of larger diameter with means e.g. holes/notches etc provided at pre-determined intervals in one ore more than one plane around the body of the central support.

39. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shoe trays may stay fixed in one place on the central support.

40. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a change in the diameter of the central support may require a change in the design and dimensions of the shoe-trays which are to ride the central support in a fixed or mobile fashion either in one or more than one horizontal planes on the main support.

41. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a change in the diameter of the central support may require a change in the shape and design of the base.

42. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper end of the main support may not end in a narrow cross-section on which sits the ring and it may end in any shape deemed necessary according to the diameter of the central support and the method used for shoe-trays to ride it.

43. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the central support is of uniform diameter throughout the entire length of the main support which is supplied with means to carry suitably adapted shoe-trays on its body in different horizontal planes, each horizontal plane carrying at least one shoe-tray, so positioned on the main support as to carry a shoe of left or rig ht foot, of average size, shape, weight and form, without any hindrance to or from neighbouring shoes on shoe-trays in the same horizontal plane or from the shoes or shoe-trays from the horizontal planes above or below it.

44. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the central support, cylinderical in shape of uniform diameter and cut in half with edges flattened to form a lip around the half-cut cylinder, can be fixed to a vertical surface through holes in the lip and on which shoe-trays ride into fixed slots of which there are at least three in one horizontal plane so that each shoe-tray carries a shoe of normal weight, size, shape and form without hindrance to its neighbour whether alongside or above or below it.

45. A shoe tidy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cylinderical half-cut central support may not have its lower end touching a flat surface.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 29-4-81 Superseded claims None Claims 11 and 12 (to be appended to the claims originally filed on 26.4.80.

11. The shape of the tray that holds a shoe individually is such that it is ideal to hold either a left or a right shoe in it that is of average weight and average size.