GB2144969A

GB2144969A - Boot removal device

Info

Publication number: GB2144969A
Application number: GB08322136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Charles Stirling
Original assignee: Naturewatch Ltd
Current assignee: Naturewatch Ltd
Priority date: 1983-08-17
Filing date: 1983-08-17
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: FR2550700A1; LU85495A1; ES281052U; SE8404102D0; ES281052Y; IT1179943B; DE3426652A1; DK385284A; FI843073A7; IT8467799A1; FI843073A0; SE8404102L; BR8404084A; ZA846185B; GB8322136D0; IT8467799A0; DK385284D0; AU3176684A; FI843073L; KR850001672A

Abstract

A boot removal device has a body 1 which is double-ended, with a generally V-shaped formation or cut-out 2 at each end. The body 1 has an underneath formation such that it can be rocked about an intermediate position along its length, as at a lower apex 6, so that either end of the body 1 can be held down on the ground by means of one foot of the user with the other end of the body 1 projecting upwardly. The cut-out 2 of the upwardly projecting end can then be engaged by the boot on the other foot of the user, this boot being gripped with a wedging action allowing said other foot to be withdrawn therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boot removal device This invention relates to devices for removing boots, such as riding boots and wellington boots, which grip the heel of a boot to enable the foot to be withdrawn easily.

Such devices are known, commonly referred to as "bootjacks", with a generally Vshaped formation or cut-out at one end which projects upwardly, providing a recess in which the boot heel can be inserted and gripped with a wedging action. The other end rests on the ground and, during use of the bootjack to remove a boot, is held down by means of the other foot.

The invention has for its object to provide a boot removal device which has marked advantages in use as compared with the various known forms of bootjack.

According to the invention a boot removal device is double-ended, having a generally Vshaped formation or cut-out at each end, and has an underneath formation such that it can be rocked about an intermediate position along its length so that either end can be held down on the ground by means of one foot with the other end projecting upwardly for engagement by and the removal of a boot from the other foot.

Preferably the device is of generally rectangular shape apart from the end cut-outs, and it may have a flat upper surface with the region between the cut-outs serrated or transversely ribbed to provide a grip for the holding-down foot. Although the'two end cutouts may be of different sizes, to suit different size heels, they are preferably identical so that either end can be used as convenient. The known single-ended devices as often as not have to be turned round ready for use, whereas the present device requires little, if any, manoeuvring into a suitable orientation before use.

The device is conveniently a unitary plastics moulding, of dished form with a downwardly dependent side wall or peripheral skirt. This skirt not only rigidifies the top surface wall but along the sides may be of increasing depth from the ends to the centre, providing a lower central apex about which the moulding can be rocked to an operative position with either end held down on the ground.

Strengthening walls and/or ribs may be provided within the side skirt.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, a boot removal device representing a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the device; and Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view thereof.

The device illustrated is a unitary plastics moulding 1 of generally rectangular shape apart from identical V-shaped cut-outs 2 at the ends of the moulding. The upper surface 3 is flat with the portion thereof between the cutouts 2 having a series of closely spaced lateral ribs 4 of rectangular cross-section. The moulding 1 is of symmetrical shape and the spacing of the ribs 4 is approximately equal to their width.

The thin top wall providing the upper surface 3 is strengthened and rigidified by a downwardly dependent continuous side wall or peripheral skirt 5. Along the sides of the moulding 1 this skirt 5 is of linearly increasing depth up to a central slightly radiused point or apex at 6. This provides an underneath formation on which the moulding 1 can be rocked, see-saw fashion, so that either end of the device can rest on the ground with the other end projecting upwardly. The end on the ground can be held down by one foot resting on the ribbed portion, the ribs 4 providing a good grip for that foot, when the heel of a boot on the other foot can be engaged with a wedging action in the cut-out 2 in the other or upwardly-projecting end.

That other foot can then easily be withdrawn from the engaged boot.

Within the skirt 5 the moulding 1 is further strengthened and rigidified by a central crosswall 7 and ribs 8. The result is a strong and light construction, which is economical of moulding material and thus cheaply produced by injection moulding. The cut-out formation shown produces, in effect, two splayed-out legs at each end and this provides a high degree of stability for the end which is held down on the ground during use to remove a boot the heel of which is gripped in the cutout 2 at the other end.

The lateral ribs 4 are interrupted over a rectangular central region of the top surface 3, leaving a clear flat panel 9 which can be used for the display of trade mark or other information.

1. A boot removal device which is doubleended, having a generally V-shaped formation or cut-out at each end, and which has an underneath formation such that it can be rocked about an intermediate position along its length so that either end can be held down on the ground by means of one foot with the other end projecting upwardly for engagement by and the removal of a boot from the other foot.

2. A boot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the device is of generally rectangular shape in plan view apart from the end cut-outs.

3. A boot removal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device has a flat upper surface with the region between the

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Boot removal device This invention relates to devices for removing boots, such as riding boots and wellington boots, which grip the heel of a boot to enable the foot to be withdrawn easily. Such devices are known, commonly referred to as "bootjacks", with a generally Vshaped formation or cut-out at one end which projects upwardly, providing a recess in which the boot heel can be inserted and gripped with a wedging action. The other end rests on the ground and, during use of the bootjack to remove a boot, is held down by means of the other foot. The invention has for its object to provide a boot removal device which has marked advantages in use as compared with the various known forms of bootjack. According to the invention a boot removal device is double-ended, having a generally Vshaped formation or cut-out at each end, and has an underneath formation such that it can be rocked about an intermediate position along its length so that either end can be held down on the ground by means of one foot with the other end projecting upwardly for engagement by and the removal of a boot from the other foot. Preferably the device is of generally rectangular shape apart from the end cut-outs, and it may have a flat upper surface with the region between the cut-outs serrated or transversely ribbed to provide a grip for the holding-down foot. Although the'two end cutouts may be of different sizes, to suit different size heels, they are preferably identical so that either end can be used as convenient. The known single-ended devices as often as not have to be turned round ready for use, whereas the present device requires little, if any, manoeuvring into a suitable orientation before use. The device is conveniently a unitary plastics moulding, of dished form with a downwardly dependent side wall or peripheral skirt. This skirt not only rigidifies the top surface wall but along the sides may be of increasing depth from the ends to the centre, providing a lower central apex about which the moulding can be rocked to an operative position with either end held down on the ground. Strengthening walls and/or ribs may be provided within the side skirt. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, a boot removal device representing a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the device; and Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view thereof. The device illustrated is a unitary plastics moulding 1 of generally rectangular shape apart from identical V-shaped cut-outs 2 at the ends of the moulding. The upper surface 3 is flat with the portion thereof between the cutouts 2 having a series of closely spaced lateral ribs 4 of rectangular cross-section. The moulding 1 is of symmetrical shape and the spacing of the ribs 4 is approximately equal to their width. The thin top wall providing the upper surface 3 is strengthened and rigidified by a downwardly dependent continuous side wall or peripheral skirt 5. Along the sides of the moulding 1 this skirt 5 is of linearly increasing depth up to a central slightly radiused point or apex at 6. This provides an underneath formation on which the moulding 1 can be rocked, see-saw fashion, so that either end of the device can rest on the ground with the other end projecting upwardly. The end on the ground can be held down by one foot resting on the ribbed portion, the ribs 4 providing a good grip for that foot, when the heel of a boot on the other foot can be engaged with a wedging action in the cut-out 2 in the other or upwardly-projecting end. That other foot can then easily be withdrawn from the engaged boot. Within the skirt 5 the moulding 1 is further strengthened and rigidified by a central crosswall 7 and ribs 8. The result is a strong and light construction, which is economical of moulding material and thus cheaply produced by injection moulding. The cut-out formation shown produces, in effect, two splayed-out legs at each end and this provides a high degree of stability for the end which is held down on the ground during use to remove a boot the heel of which is gripped in the cutout 2 at the other end. The lateral ribs 4 are interrupted over a rectangular central region of the top surface 3, leaving a clear flat panel 9 which can be used for the display of trade mark or other information. CLAIMS

3. A boot removal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device has a flat upper surface with the region between the end cut-outs serrated or transversely ribbed to provide a grip for the holding-down foot;

4. A boot removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two end cut-outs are of different sizes, to suit different size heels.

5. A boot removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two end cut-outs are identical so that either end can be used as is convenient.

6. A boot removal device according to claims 2 and 5, wherein each of the end cutouts extends over substantially the whole width of the device.

7. A boot removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is a unitary plastics moulding which is of dished form, being hollow underneath, with a top surface wall and a downwardly dependent side wall or peripheral skirt.

8. A boot removal device according to claim 7, wherein said side wall or skirt not only rigidifies the top surface wall but along the side edges of the moulding is of increasing depth from the ends of the moulding to the centre thereof, thus providing a lower central apex about which the moulding can be rocked to an operative position with either end held down on the ground.

9. A boot removal device according to claim 8, wherein from each end of the moulding to said central apex the side wall or skirt, on each side of the moulding, increases in depth in a linear manner.

10. A boot removal device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein strengthening walls and/or ribs are provided within the side wall or skirt.

11. A boot removal device which is constructed and arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.