US3261114A - Integrated shoe and shoehorn - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1966 K. w. sAUNDx-:Rs

INTEGRATED SHOE AND SHOEHORN Filed July 2. 1964 FIG.Ib

FIGIO FlG. 3

/A/VE/VTOR KENNETH W. SAUNDERS FIGA United States Patent O 3,261,114 INTEGRATED SHOE AND SHOEHORN Kenneth W. Saunders, Quincy, Mass., assignor to Perma Shoehorn Corporation, Braintree, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed July 2, 1964, Ser. No. 379,901 7 Claims. (Cl. Sti-2.5)

This invention relates to shoehorns and more particularly to integrated shoehorns that form a permanent part of a shoe, sneaker, skate or similar article of footwear.

For a variety of reasons, prior art devices have eventually reduced the comfort of footwear to which they were attached. The material of which the devices were necessarily made were alternately too stiff, bulky or so flexible the material wrinkled with use.

One early device was merely a simple tab of leather placed in the shoe. The ball of the foot rested on the forward section and held the horn in place while the rear section acted as ya horn. However, the material wrinkles very quickly in time due to perspiration. The consequent wrinkling becomes very uncomfortable. In light of the above disadvantage subsequent devices were fabricated from firmer materials. One such device had the disadvantage of being hinged at a point contiguous with the junction of the shoes counter and inner sole, thereby introducing an unwanted protrusion into the shoe. Furthermore, a conspicuous tab was associated with this device, in that the t-ab extended over the counter when a foot was in the shoe.

Subsequent improvements assured fixation in location of the shoehorn and increased stiffness of the tab through laminating selected portions of the shoehorn. In order to restore exibility to the tab so that it would conformv more readily to the shape of the shoe, holes or slots were cut into the material. Again this device was not wrinkle proof and additionally was bulky.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an integrated shoehorn which will enhance rather than detract from the existing comfort of a shoe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoehorn having minimal internal protrusions with regard to the shoe.

Another object of this invention is to provide an integrated shoehorn relatively wrinkle-free with continued use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structurally simpler integrated shoehorn.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoehorn that snaps comfortably and inconspicuously into place in the shoe of Va wearer.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 shows the components of this invention of which FIGURE la `is a plane View of a precut calfskin, FIGURE 1b is a metal stay, `and lc is a precut heel tab.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an assembled shoehorn.

FIGURE 3 shows a shoehorn installed in a shoe.

FIGURE 4 shows a shoehorn with a foot in place.

FIGURE 5 shows a shoehorn utilizing a split innersole.

The present invention can be incorporated into a shoe while the shoe is in the process of manufacture or it can be fabricated as an independent article of manufacture and later incorporated in a shoe previously manufactured.

Referring to FIGURE la, a plane view of a precut flexible calfskin 11 is shown. Lower section 13 and upper section 12 fold about fold line 14. FIGURE 1b shows a metal stay 15, preferably of spring steel. FIGURE 1c shows precut pad 22 of firm leather, cut to conform to the heel'of a shoe. Pad 22 bears feather edge 23 to provide maximum comfort when the pad is placed in `a shoe.

In FIGURE 2 the shoehorn is shown assembled. Upper section 12 of precut calfskin 11 is seen folded upward forming a right angle with lower section 13 about fold 14. Pad 22 is placed over lower section 13. Preferably two metal stays 15 are placed between pad 22 and lower section 13 of calfsk-in 11 .as shown. Lower section 13 is rmly cemented, stitched or otherwise attached to pad 22 permanently fixing metal stays 15 therebetween.

The assembled shoehorn is shown installed in shoe 33, FIGURE 3. Nails 34 are driven through nail holes 25 and into the innersole attaching the shoehorn in position. The shoehorn is free to move up and down as indicated in FIGURE 3. When the shoehorn has Vaided the entry of ones foot, it snaps into place as shown in FIGURE 4 fitting snugly in place 'affording maximum comfort.

The above described embodiment can be fabricated separately and later installed in a users regular shoe. If, on the other hand, it is found desirable to incorporate my invention into a shoe while said shoe is in the process of manufacture, a much simpler embodiment is available as shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring to FIGURE 5, there is shown innersole 42 which is split prior to assembly of the shoe. Precut calfskin 11 it attached to top section 45 of split innersole 42 as it would be attached to pad 22 above with metal stays 15 therebetween. A conventional heel pad 43 may be placed over the split innersole 42 in the manner similar to that employed in the conventional manufacturer of shoes, although heel pad 43 is rendered unnecessary for nails that are likely to `appear from the shoe heel will be covered by the shoehorn. However, the use lof a conventional heel pad 43 with my invention dresses up the shoes appearance considerably.

In either embodiment, a flexible tab 40 of calfskin can be .attached to top section 12 of precut calfskin 11 to facilitate gripping said shoehorn. The material is preferably folded over the top edge of said precut section 12 and stitched thereto forming a small loop that permits the entry of a pointed object such as a pencil -when it is desired to urge the unit into use or to increase the users hold over the shoehorn.

While my invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, certain changes and substitutions may be added without departing from the true spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, the foregoing lis not to be regarded as a limitation on the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects thereof .and in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An Iintegrated shoe and shoehorn which forms a permanent part of the shoe comprising, a precut exible component of soft supple tear-resistant material having an upper section and a lower section, a plurality of metal stays in said shoehorn, heel pad means of material substantially more rigid than said flexible component, an insole, and means securely fastening said heel pad to said exible component and t-o said insole.

2. An integrated shoehorn according to claim 1 wherein said precut flexible component is calfskin.

3. An integrated shoehorn according to claim 1 wherein said metal stays are spring steel.

4. An integrated shoehbrn according to claim 3 wherein said heel pad means is a precut leather pad conforming to the shape of the heel portion of a lowcut shoe.

5. An integrated shoehorn according to claim 3 wherein said heel pad means is the upper segment of an innersole split from the heel end to the shank portion of an innersole.

6. An integrated shoe and shoehorn which forms a permanent part of the shoe comprising, a precut exible calfskin component having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section being folded normal to said lower section, a precut heel pad of rm leather-like material having a feathered shank portion and overlying said lower section, said heel pad conforming t-o the shape `of the heel portion of an innersole, and two spring steel metal stays, said metal stays being located between the heel pad and the lower section of said precut calfskin, an insole, and means securely fastening said heel pad to said lower section of said calfskin and to said insole.

7. An integrated shoehorn .according to claimy 6 which further includes a tab of folded calfskin attached to said facilitate gripping said shoehorn.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Scism 36-2.5 Scism 3 6-2'.5 Trimbur 3 6-2.5 Menenko 36-2.5 Evans 3 6-2.5

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

upper section of said precut exible calfskin which will 15 PATRICK D, LAWSON, Examiner.

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