GB2556883A

GB2556883A - Apparatus for transportation and storage of footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2556883A
Application number: GB1619775.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liebman Miriam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-22
Filing date: 2016-11-22
Publication date: 2018-06-13
Also published as: GB201619775D0

Abstract

A bag for transporting wellington boots comprises two compartments 14 joined together by hook and loop fabric, or by a press stud or button (33, fig 4), and with a handle 11. Each compartment may be sealed by a drawstring 3, 7 or displaceable flap. Alternatively the compartments may have a single outer covering. Each compartment may have a plasticised inner lining (57, fig 7b) which may be wiped clean. The bottom of the compartments may be perforated to allow water to drain away. The base of each compartment may be flat, so that the apparatus may stand vertically. The strap 1 may be made of webbing, and be adjustable. It is attached to the apparatus by a clip or carabineer 5.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Miriam Liebman

16a Dilwyn Court, Sketty, SWANSEA, SA2 9AE, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Miriam Liebman (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Miriam Liebman

16a Dilwyn Court, Sketty, SWANSEA, SA2 9AE, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

A45C3/12 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2487205 A CA 002546769 A1

US 20150230574 A1 US 20070116384 A1

USD 703440 S (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA45C Other: EPODOC, WPI (54) Title of the Invention: Apparatus for transportation and storage of footwear Abstract Title: A boot bag (57) A bag for transporting Wellington boots comprises two compartments 14 joined together by hook and loop fabric, or by a press stud or button (33, fig 4), and with a handle 11. Each compartment may be sealed by a drawstring 3, or displaceable flap. Alternatively the compartments may have a single outer covering. Each compartment may have a plasticised inner lining (57, fig 7b) which may be wiped clean. The bottom of the compartments may be perforated to allow water to drain away. The base of each compartment may be flat, so that the apparatus may stand vertically. The strap 1 may be made of webbing, and be adjustable. It is attached to the apparatus by a clip or carabineer 5.

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APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE OF FOOTWEAR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for transportation and storage of footwear, in particular boots; more particularly Wellington boots.

Background

Increasing numbers of people enjoy outdoor activities in many societies.

With increasing unpredictability in climatic conditions, many users may choose to transport different footwear options; for example many users may wish to have footwear specifically designed for wet and/or muddy conditions. They may not however wish to wear this footwear when not in muddy or wet conditions, for example in town or buildings.

Carrying muddy or wet footwear can however become problematic, for the footwear, user or surroundings, with the mud liable to spread around, and/or the dampness enclosed (for example) in plastic bags.

Prior Art

US 20 150 230 574 (RORIE) discloses a shoe bag for transporting a pair of shoes comprising two individual compartments. The compartments are detachable from one another and include an interior protective lining. Each detachable compartment has its own opening that can be opened or closed independently from the opening for the other compartment. The detachable compartments allow more efficient packing of the shoes within the luggage's interior and also protect the shoes from each other and also prevents the shoes from soiling items packed in the luggage.

FR 2 779 037 (LIMOGES et al) discloses a bag that is composed of two flexiblematerial compartments onto which shoes are set in a head-to-tail arrangement. The side edges are finished with seams and the sides are attached together using ties which may include Velcro-type fittings.

US 3 749 232 (CRAIG) discloses a boot bag which includes a pair of mirror image halves pivotally connected at adjacent edges at the back side of the bag. Each half is shaped with a main upper body portion and a toe portion for receiving one boot of a pair of boots. Each half of the bag is lined with a soft resilient cushioning material, and support pads are provided on the bottom side of the bag. The bag is constructed of a relatively rigid material forming an external shell of each of the halves, and a manual locking device extends between and interconnects the two halves along the front side of the boot bag. A carrying handle is secured to the upper side of one of the halves of the bag.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for transportation and storage of boots, comprising a first and a second internal volume, the volumes arranged inside at least one outer, and a handle.

In some embodiments the volumes may be contained within discrete and/or connectable device, each providing an outer. In some other embodiments the volumes may be contained within a single device.

In some embodiments the handle or handles may comprise a handle arranged as strapping to strap around or over a user’s body.

The internal volume may be wholly or substantially sealed, by a sealing mechanism.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a part to seal, close or cover the voiume(s) or an entrance to the volume.

For example in some embodiments the mechanism may comprise a volume covering top. The top may comprise a drawstring closure. The top may comprise a displaceable or hinged top, which top may be hinged at a hinge to be displaceable from covering the volume.

In some embodiments the top may be arranged to close the volume in addition or the alternative. For example in some embodiments the top may comprise a closure or sealing mechanism. Such mechanism may comprise a catch or seal mechanism, which mechanism is closed automatically or manually. For example In some embodiments the mechanism may close automatically as the top comprises weighting sufficient to close the top down over the volume or entrance. In some embodiments the top may comprise a hinge at one edge and a weighting at the other or second edge. In some embodiments at or adjacent the second edge there may be provided an automatic closure mechanism, for example comprising ferromagnetic parts.

In this way ingress of water may be limited, for example such that the apparatus may be left outside even in inclement conditions.

The first and second volumes may be arranged within independent devices, which devices may be connected or joined to form the apparatus.

Each device may thereby comprise an outer. The outers of the devices may comprise a connection means with which to connect to one another.

The connection means may comprise a hook and eye means, hook and loop such as Velcro (RTM), press stud, ferromagnetic or buttoning means.

In such embodiments the handle may comprise a pair of handles, which handles may extend substantially upwards from the devices.

The handles may be arranged to connect to one another using a connection means

In this way the apparatus has separate compartments for each boot so that dirt is not transferred from one to the other.

In some embodiments each of such compartments is roughly shaped like a boot.

In some embodiments the apparatus has at least one handle made from webbing. In embodiments having more than one handle the handles may be clipped together by a carabineer style metal clip.

Such clip may be attached to an adjustable cross-body strapping made from the same webbing as the handles.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise an all-in-one embodiment which can be turned inside out and wiped clean.

In some other embodiments the apparatus may incorporate a separate or separable inner lining which is held in place with a liner system. In such embodiments the liner system may enable the liner to be taken out. For example in some such embodiments the lining may be arranged to be cleanable in a washing machine.

In some embodiments the volume may comprise a plasticised interior surface. Such surface may consequently be easy to wipe clean.

In some embodiments the liner system comprise temporary securement means, for example comprising a hook and eye means, hook and loop such as Velcro (RTM), press stud, ferromagnetic or buttoning means.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises at least one pocket for accessories, which may be located on the outer and/or exterior surface of the apparatus.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a structure or structure giving skeleton, for example which skeleton is arranged to maintain a substantially or partially rigid form to the outer and/or volume.

In some other embodiments the apparatus may comprise a flexible, resiliently deformable or pliant outer or volume, wherein for example the apparatus may be rolled up when not in use.

In some embodiments the volume may comprise a perforated bottom in use. Such bottom may include perforations so as to allow egress of moisture, mud or water. The outer may consequently comprise corresponding perforations.

In some embodiments the volume or outer may comprise breathable material at least in part, which material is thereby enabling of egress of moisture.

The volume may alternatively or additionally comprise vents enabling of egress of moisture. Such a vent may be provided by the top, for example wherein any closure mechanism is not enabled to wholly close the top of the volume.

In some embodiments, the outer or structure may comprise means to enable the apparatus to be arranged helpfully with respect to other structures, such as on the ground. For example flat heel and sole areas permit standing the apparatus in an upright, vertical position or lying it in a flat, horizontal position.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, with volumes closed;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an open device for inclusion in the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 4;

and

Figures 7 and 8 show sketch views of further embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention, subject to removal or later formalisation as appropriate.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus 100 arranged for transportation and storage of boots, comprising a first and a second internal volume 50, the volumes 50 arranged inside two outers 13, and in discrete devices 14, with a handle comprising two loop handles 11 from the devices 14, and a unifying strap 2, connected to the two loop handles 11 in use.

The strap has a shoulder pad 1, which can be slid along the strap to aid in comfort given the weight.

In the pictured embodiment each device 14 therefore provides a discrete Wellington or rubber boot bag or container to individually hold a boot in the inner volume 50, providing a convenient transportation and hanging solution when used in combination with the other device 14.

The apparatus 100 can come in a variety of patterns and colours to suit age and gender.

The pictured embodiments of the devices 14 comprise the following:

Soft Nylon (RTM) webbing loop handles 11 with reinforced cross-stitched bases arranged on a seam 17 of the outer 13

Plasticised or washable inner liner 18, which may be wholly displaceable, for example comprising ferromagnetic attachment or other attachment means to the inner surface of the outer 13. In some embodiments (as pictured in Figure 7b, a liner 57 may be suspended within and spaced apart from the outer.

A closure mechanism comprising:

Nylon (RTM) drawstring cord 7

Thermoplastic drawstring toggle 19

Cowl 6, continuing vertically upwards from around the outer 13 top seam 17, which cowl is gathered by the perimetric drawstring 7 so as to close access to the volume 50 into a sphincter central the device top.

Flat oval base 12, with an peripheral hem 21 providing a substantially rigid structure to the base 12 and substantially maintaining a flat form

Storage pockets on the outer faces of the devices 14, and comprising:

Flat pocket front 10

Flap pocket lid 9

Accordion pocket sides 16

Brass closure poppers 8

Patterned water-resistant and/or plasticised outer 13 forming an ovai section cylinder extending upwards substantially vertically from the base, with a central narrowing. Two sets of two securement mechanism parts 33 arranged in two vertically spaced lateral arrangements on the inner faces of the devices 14, so as to be coordinated for securement purposes. The securement mechanism parts 33 may be poppers, press studs or ferromagnetic parts.

The pictured embodiment of the apparatus 100 comprises the following:

Two devices 14

A linking strap handle 2 with a shoulder pad 1

A clip 5 to link the strap handle 2 to the loops 11.

The dip shown is a resiliently deformable thermoplastics J-hook for ease of use and manufacture costs. Further embodiments may comprise more robust and/or more complex mechanisms, for example a carabineer or spring hook clip, and may be formed in metal or alloy; so as to advantageously accommodate repeated use and weight.

The clip 5 and strap 1 are used as a temporary securement mechanism, so as to hold the two 14 devices together and carry them likewise, with the single strap 1 acting to bring the two devices 14 together.

In use the user would:

1. Place boots into each volume.

2. Use the toggle to pull the drawstring opening closed and secure.

3. Use the poppers to fasten the two bags together.

4. Attach the adjustable shoulder strap using the carabineer to the carry handies to allow the user to easily carry the apparatus.

The invention has been described by way of examples onty and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transportation and storage of boots, comprising a first and a second internal volume, the volumes arranged inside at least one outer, and a handle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the volumes are contained within discrete connectable devices, each providing an outer.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the device comprises loop handles.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a single displaceable strap to link the loo handles.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4 comprising a securement mechanism between devices.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the securement mechanism comprises poppers.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the securement mechanism comprises magnetic parts.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the volumes are contained within a single device.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the volume comprises a removable liner.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising at least one outer pocket.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising a topmost closure mechanism for the volume.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the closure mechanism comprises a drawstring.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1619775.8

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