WO2004052157A1

WO2004052157A1 - Shoe fitting aid

Info

Publication number: WO2004052157A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/001642
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Miliauskas
Original assignee: John Miliauskas
Priority date: 2002-12-12
Filing date: 2003-12-09
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Also published as: AU2002953276A0

Abstract

A shoe fitting aid (10) comprises elongate member (12) having a first end (14) and an opposite end (16), with a gripping mechanism (18) for gripping the shoe (20) provided at the first end (14). An actuator (22) supported by the elongate member (12) is coupled to the gripping mechanism (18) to move it between an open position in which the gripping mechanism can receive a shoe (20), and a grip position where a received shoe is gripped by the gripping mechanism (18). A shoe horn (24) which forms part of the gripping mechanism (18) is supported on the elongated member (12) at a location to assist in guiding a foot into the shoe (20) when the shoe (20) is gripped by the gripping mechanism (18).

Description

Shoe Fitting Aid

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shoe fitting aid particularly, though not exclusively, for mobility impaired persons .

Background of the Invention

Various aids and devices are currently available to assist mobility impaired persons with numerous household and personal chores and necessities including, for example, dressing. However, in relation to the fitting of shoes, the present Applicant is unaware of any commercially available device, other than a conventional shoe horn.

The present invention arises from a desire to provide an aid to assist people, particularly those with various forms of mobility impairment, in . the task of fitting shoes to their feet.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a shoe fitting aid comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end;

a gripping mechanism for gripping a shoe provided at said first end of said elongated member;

an actuator supported by said elongated member and coupled with said gripping mechanism to move said gripping mechanism between an open position in which said gripping mechanism can receive a shoe and a grip position where a received shoe is gripped by said gripping mechanism; and, a shoe horn supported on said elongated member at a location- to assist in the fitting of a shoe onto a foot when said shoe is gripped by said gripping mechanism.

Preferably said shoe horn constitutes a portion of said gripping mechanism against which a shoe gripped by said gripping mechanism bears .

Preferably said gripping mechanism comprises an element supported by said elongated member and moveable relative to said shoe horn by said actuator whereby when said gripping mechanism is in said open position said element and shoe horn are juxtaposed so that a shoe can be received therebetween, and when in said grip position, said shoe is gripped between said shoe horn and said element.

Preferably said actuator comprises bias means for biasing said gripping mechanism towards said grip position.

Preferably said element has a surface adjacent said shoe horn of a shape substantially complementary to that of said shoe horn.

Preferably said element comprises a plate of a shape substantially complementary to that of said shoe horn.

Preferably said elongated member comprises an outer tube to which said element is fixed and said actuator comprises an inner member slidable along the length of said tube and having one end to which said shoe horn is attached, said bias means acting between said outer tube and said inner member.

Preferably said actuator further comprises a first handle attached to said outer tube and a second handle attached to said inner member, wherein squeezing said handles together moves said gripping mechanism to said open position and releasing said handles allows said bias mechanism to move said gripping mechanism to said grip position.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word ^w comprise" or variations such as " comprises" or * comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation from the side of an embodiment of the shoe fitting aid in a gripping position;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation from the side of the shoe fitting aid when in an open position;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the shoe fitting aid;

Figure 4 is a representation of the shoe fitting aid gripping a shoe; and,

Figure 5 is an enlarged assembly drawing in part section view of the shoe fitting aid.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a shoe fitting aid 10 comprises an elongated member 12 having a first end 14 and an .opposite end 16, with a gripping mechanism 18 for gripping a shoe 20 provided at the first end 14. An actuator 22 is supported by the elongated member 12 for moving the gripping mechanism 18 between an open position (shown in Figure 2 and 4) in which said gripping mechanism can receive a shoe 20, and a grip position (shown in Figure 4) where a received shoe is gripped by the gripping mechanism. A shoe horn 24 is also supported on the elongated member 12 at a location to assist in the fitting of the shoe 20 onto a foot when the shoe 20 is gripped by the gripping mechanism 18.

The elongated member 12 is in the form of an outer tube 26 and the actuator 22 comprises an inner member in the form of a rod 28 which is slidable along a length of and within the tube 26. The shoe horn 24 is attached to the rod 28 near the end 14. This is achieved by forming a screw thread 29 at the end of the rod 28 which threadingly engages an integral sleeve 31 formed with the shoe horn 24. An opposite end of the rod 28 is provided with a handle or lever 30. This is achieved by forming the handle 30 with an integrated sleeve 33 which receives a threaded end 35 of the rod 28. A combined end cap and lock nut 37 is received in the end of the sleeve 33 and screws onto the end 35. A further handle or lever 32 is attached to ^• the tube 26 at end 16 of the elongated member 12. The levers 30 and 32 lie in substantially the same plane and are spaced by a distance which enables both to be simultaneously held in one hand.

The handle 32 comprises an integrated tubular portion 34 which at one end 39 fits over an end of the tube 26 and at an opposite end 41 receives an end of sleeve 33. A bias mechanism in the form of a spring 36 is housed within the tubular portion 39 between the sleeve 35 and an internal annular wall 43. The gripping mechanism 18 comprises both the shoe horn 24 and an element in the form of a plate 38 attached to the tube 26 at an end 14. The plate (ie element) 38 has a surface adjacent the shoe horn 24 of a shape complementary to the shoe horn 24. More particularly, the plate 38 is conveniently formed of a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the shoe horn 24. The spring acts between the tube 26 and the rod 28 to bias the shoe horn 24 toward the plate 38, ie the spring 36 biases the gripping mechanism 18 to the grip position.

The manner of operation of the shoe fitting aid 10 will now be described.

When the aid 10 is not in use (as depicted in Figures 1 and 3) the spring 36 biases the shoe horn 24 against the plate 38 and the levers 30 and 32 are spaced apart by a maximum distance. If it is desired to apply or fit a shoe, a user will grip the levers 30 and 32 squeezing them together to move the gripping mechanism 18 to the open position depicted in Figures 2 and 4 where the shoe horn 24 is spaced from the plate 38. The aid 10 is then manipulated so that the shoe horn 24 and plate 38 are disposed on opposite sides of an upper heel portion of the shoe 20. Hand pressure on the levers 30 and 32 can then be released allowing the spring 36 to move the shoe horn 24 toward the plate 38 so as to grip the shoe 20 therebetween, as depicted in Figure 4. The user can then manipulate the aid 10 to place the shoe 20 in a convenient position next to their foot to allow insertion of their foot into the shoe. As shown in Figure 4, the shoe horn 24 is at or near the upper portion of the heel part of the shoe 20 so that the heel of the foot being inserted into the shoe 20 is guided by the shoe horn 24 into the shoe 20. With the foot now inserted into the shoe 20, the user will again squeeze the levers 30 and 32 together to further space the shoe horn 24 from the plate 38, releasing the shoe 20.

Now that an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a spring 36 is used as a way of providing bias between the elements of the gripping mechanism 18 namely the plate 38 and shoe horn 24. However, other types of bias mechanisms may be used including resilient blocks or bands (for example made of rubber) or air dampers. Further, the levers 30 and 32 can be replaced with other arrangements which allow for relevant movement between the tube 26 and rod 28. For example, a laterally extending flange may be provided about end 16 under which the fingers of the hand may be placed with fingers on either side of the tube 26, so that a user's palm may then press down on the rod 28 or, on a handle or knob attached thereto.

All such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and appended claims .

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A shoe fitting aid comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end;

an actuator supported by said elongated member and coupled with said gripping mechanism to move said gripping mechanism between an open position in which said gripping mechanism can receive a shoe and a grip position where a received shoe is gripped by said gripping mechanism; and,

a shoe horn supported on said elongated member at a location to assist in the fitting of a shoe onto a foot when said shoe is gripped by said gripping mechanism.

2. The aid according to claim 1 wherein said shoe horn constitutes a portion of said gripping mechanism against which a shoe gripped by said gripping mechanism bears .

3. The aid according to claim 2 wherein said gripping mechanism comprises an element supported by said elongated member and moveable relative to said shoe horn by said actuator whereby when said gripping mechanism is in said open position said element and shoe horn are juxtaposed so that a shoe can be received therebetween, and when in said grip position, said shoe is gripped between said shoe horn and said element.

4. The aid according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein said actuator comprises bias means for biasing said gripping mechanism towards said grip position.

5. The aid according to claim 4 wherein said element has a surface adjacent said shoe horn of a shape substantially complementary to that of said shoe horn.

6. The aid according to claim 5 wherein said element comprises a plate.

7. The aid according to any one of claims 4-6 wherein said elongated member comprises an outer tube to which said element is fixed and said actuator comprises an inner member slidable along the length of said tube and having one end to which said shoe horn is attached, and said bias means acts between said outer tube and said inner member.

8. The aid according to claim 7 wherein said actuator further comprises a first handle attached to said outer tube and a second handle attached to said inner member, wherein squeezing said handles together moves said gripping mechanism to said open position and releasing said handles allows said bias mechanism to move said gripping mechanism to said grip position.