Shoe shelf and shoe rack comprising the shoe shelf

Abstract

A shoe rack (1) in a storage system comprises an extendable, rectangular frame (3) with at least one shoe shelf (2) Each shoe shelf (2) is mounted on the extendable, rectangular frame (3), and is adapted to extend between two opposite sides of the extendable, rectangular frame (3) in a selectable position. A shoe shelf (2) for use in a shoe rack (1) comprises a rectangular panel (5), with two longer and two shorter sides. The shelf (2) is designed to be held at an angle and support one or more pairs of shoes. An attachment clip (4) for a shoe shelf (2) comprises an upper and a lower arm, for a snap fastening of the clip on a support and an angled seat portion for a shoe shelf (2).

Description

[0001] SHOE SHELF AND SHOE RACK COMPRISING THE SHOE SHELF

[0002] Field of the disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a shoe rack in a storage system, the shoe rack comprising an extendable, rectangular frame comprising sliders and being configured to slide between a retracted position and an extended position, the shoe rack comprising at least one shoe shelf, each shoe shelf being mounted on the extendable, rectangular frame.

[0004] The disclosure also relates to a shoe shelf for use in a shoe rack, the shelf comprising a rectangular panel, with two longer and two shorter sides.

[0005] Finally, the disclosure relates to an attachment clip for a shoe shelf.

[0006] US11583074B2 discloses one of many examples of wall-mounted storage systems, which are modular and configurable to the user’s need and wishes. The disclosed system comprises many drawers and shelves which are supported by brackets and hang standards. Drawers and shelves are generally used for storing items of clothing. However, compact, space-saving storage solutions which are particularly suitable for footwear are not included in this disclosure. Although shoes may be stored on shelves in their retail boxes, this is not a solution where shoes may be clearly displayed and easily selected and accessed. Also, the boxes may be bulky and unsightly, since they are of various origins.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all of the above-mentioned problems. To this end, there is provided a shoe rack wherein each shoe shelf is adapted to extend between two opposite sides of the extendable, rectangular frame in a selectable position.

[0008] The number of shoe shelves attached to one frame, and the distance between the shelves may be varied according to the user’s wishes. Hereby a flexible shoe rack may be obtained, suitable for different types of shoes and boots. The storage is space efficient and attractive, since the shoes are stored without any packaging, and the shoe rack may be easily retracted after the desired pair of shoes has been selected. In an embodiment, each shoe shelf is attached to the extendable, rectangular frame with one attachment clip at each of the sides, between which the shoe shelf extends.

[0009] Hereby the number of shoe shelves in the shoe rack, and their positions on the extendable, rectangular frame, may be selected according to the user’s needs and wishes.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the attachment clips are adapted to hold each shoe shelf with its plane at an angle to the plane defined by the extendable, rectangular frame, the angle being in the range 30-55 degrees.

[0011] Hereby the number of shelves in the shoe rack, and also the number of shoes that may be stored therein, may be maximized.

[0012] In some further embodiments, the attachment clips are designed to snap onto the extendable, rectangular frame.

[0013] Hereby no special tools nor skills are required for their mounting or demounting on the rectangular frame. The shoe rack may hence be easily designed and redesigned by the user according to their varying needs.

[0014] According to a second aspect, parts of or all of the above-mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by the panel comprising, at its short sides, first and second attachment clips for connecting with a rectangular frame and being configured such that the shoe shelf panel is held at an angle of 30-55 degrees to a horizontal plane to support one or more pairs of shoes.

[0015] Hereby the shoe shelf is attachable to a frame structure to form a shoe rack for multiple pairs of shoes.

[0016] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the rectangular panel is provided with an edge framing, comprising a pair of longitudinal frame segments and a pair of transversal frame segments.

[0017] Hereby an attractive finish is given to the shoe shelf, and the framing may be useful for practical purposes, such as for stabilizing the shelf, for the attachment of the shelf to the frame of the shoe rack, or for retaining the shoes on the shoe shelf.

[0018] In a further embodiment, one of the longitudinal frame segments comprises a longitudinal stop flange extending transversally to the plane of extension of the rectangular panel.

[0019] Hereby the shoes are kept from accidentally sliding over the edge of the shelf. This is particularly useful when the shelves are arranged at an angle to the plane that is defined by the rectangular, extendable frame of the shoe rack. In particular, one end of each shoe that is placed on the shoe shelf may be supported by the stop flange, arranged on the lower longitudinal frame segment of a shoe shelf that is arranged at an angle on the frame of the rack.

[0020] In some further embodiments, the edge framing is manufactured from metal.

[0021] Hereby the edge framing may be durable, yet possible to form into a useful shape during the manufacture.

[0022] In some embodiments the panel is a mesh panel.

[0023] Hereby the shoe shelf, as well as the shoe rack, may be lightweight, partially translucent, as well as stylish. The look of mesh containers in the storage system may be complemented in an attractive manner. The partially translucent shoe shelf may contribute to an improved visibility in the lower levels of the storage system, since they may allow some light to pass through them. Also, partially translucent shelves, which are angled as described above, do not totally obstruct the view of other shelves that are arranged behind them on the frame of the shoe rack, and hence the contents of the shoe rack will be easier to see.

[0024] In some embodiments, the longitudinal extent of the shoe shelf is in the range of 425-500 mm, or alternatively 550-650 mm, or 850-950 mm.

[0025] Hereby the shoe shelf may fit in an extendable, rectangular frame, between two opposing sides thereof, in particular when the frame is part of a storage system with standardized measurements. Shorter lengths may be useful for shelves arranged between the two longer sides of the rectangular frame, and the longer lengths may be useful for arrangement between the two shorter sides of the frame.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, the attachment clip comprises an upper and a lower arm, for a snap fastening of the clip on a support and an angled seat portion for a shoe shelf.

[0027] In some embodiments the attachment clips are designed with a pivot mechanism. Hereby the shoe shelf may be pivotable relative to the attachment clips and the frame of the shoe rack. In another embodiment, the fastening clips may be exchangeable, such that attachment clips with different dimensions may be used with the shoe shelf. In this way, some shoe shelves may be arranged lower than others, or with different angles, relative to the frame structure.

[0028] In further embodiments, the attachment clip is manufactured from a plastic material. Hereby an attachment clip with elastic properties may be attained, such that the attachment clip may be easily mounted and demounted on a frame of a shoe rack, without the use of specialized tools or skills.

[0029] It is noted that embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the shoe rack in a storage system are all combinable with the components as defined in accordance with the second and third aspects of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

[0030] Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a shoe rack according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the shoe rack of Fig. 1 ;

[0034] Fig. 3a is a plan view from the front of a shoe shelf comprised in the disclosed shoe rack;

[0035] Fig. 3b is a side view of the shoe shelf of Fig. 3a;

[0036] Fig. 3c is a perspective view of the shoe shelf of Figs. 3a and 3b; and

[0037] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of a clip and a frame included in the shoe rack of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0038] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

[0039] Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

[0040] Fig. 1 illustrates a shoe rack 1 according to the present disclosure. The shoe rack 1 is adapted for mounting in a modular storage system, wherein the components may be chosen and arranged according to the wishes of an end user. The shoe rack 1 comprises a number of shoe shelves 2; in the illustrated shoe rack 1 there are three shoe shelves 2. The shoe shelves 2 are arranged on an extendable, rectangular frame 3, which is supported in the storage system and arranged with its main plane extending horizontally. By the term “extendable” is meant that the frame 3 is provided with a slider mechanism 15, and that the frame is configured to be slideable horizontally, along the sliders, from a compact, fully retracted position to a fully extended position, as well as to any partially extended position therebetween. From any fully or partially extended position, the frame 3 is slideable back to the fully retracted position in the storage system. The size of the frame 3 as such is constant.

[0041] The shoe rack 1 may hence be pulled forward to an extended position to give the user a better view of the shoes arranged on the shoe shelves 2, and then be pushed back into a retracted storage position, after a desired pair of shoes has been selected from the shoe rack 3, for instance.

[0042] As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the shoe shelves 2 extend between two opposing sides of the rectangular frame 3. Different embodiments wherein the shoe shelves 2 extend either along or transversally to the direction A of a motion of the frame 3, being extended and retracted, are possible. For this reason, different lengths of shelves may be manufactured and marketed.

[0043] The shoe shelves 2 are fixed on the extendable, rectangular frame by means of attachment clips 4. In Figs. 1 and 2, one attachment clip 4 is arranged at each end of the respective shoe shelves 2. The number of shoe shelves 2 arranged on the frame 3 and the distance between the shelves 2 are freely selectable by the end user. In the preferred embodiments, the attachment clips 4 may be mounted and demounted easily, without the use of tools, by application of a reasonable amount of force by a person without any specialized skills. Hereby the position of each shoe shelf 2 on the frame 3 is selectable and readjustable in accordance with the needs and preferences of the user. By placing shoe shelves 2 close to one another, more shelves 2 may fit on the frame 3, but the space between the shelves 2 will be smaller, and only shoes of a low height may be accommodated on the shelves 2. Accommodation of higher shoes, e. g. hiking boots, etc. may require that the shelves be placed at a larger distance from one another.

[0044] Preferably, the shoe shelves 2 are arranged at an angle to a plane which is defined by the rectangular frame 3. It will be possible to fit more shelves 2 into a single frame 3 by arranging the shelves 2 at an angle, but the angle of the shelves 2 and the distance between the shelves 2 should preferably be selected such that the space between the shelves 2 is sufficient to accommodate the shoes placed thereon, and such that the shoes do not slide or fall off from the shelves 2. In Fig. 3a one exemplary shelf 2 is shown in a plan view. The shelf 2 comprises a panel 5, which is the main supporting area of the shelf 2. The panel 5 may be made in a mesh material, typically formed by perforating a sheet metal web with slits and expanding the material along a direction to form parallelogram-shaped openings from the slits, making the material partly translucent. Around the edges of the panel 5 an edge framing 6 is arranged. The edge framing 6 comprises, in its turn, two longitudinal frame segments 7 and two transversal frame segments 8. The edge framing 6 may give the shelf 2 uniform, stable edges with an attractive look. Also, the edge framing 6 may protect the edges of the panel from wear as well as protect the user from cuts or scratches from contact with rough edges of the panel 5.

[0045] At least one of the longitudinal frame segments 7 may be provided with a stop flange 9a, 9b, which extends partially transversally to the plane of the panel 5. Such a stop flange 9a, 9b may provide a support, which a part of the shoe placed on the shelf 2 may contact, and hence the shoe is prevented from sliding off from the shelf 2. Typically, a sole of a shoe may rest on the downwards sloping panel 5 at the mid of the sole, while a heel of the shoe abuts the upper stop flange 9b at the top of the panel.

[0046] In Fig. 3b, it is visible how both of the longitudinal frame segments 7 are provided with stop flanges 9a, 9b, which extend in mutually opposite directions from the plane of the panel 5. By the flanges 9a, 9b being bent out of the main plane of the panel 5, the shelf 2, as a whole, also becomes stiffer. The stop flange 9b at the top of the shelf 2 may prevent shoes, that are placed on the shelf 2 from sliding off. In case the shoe has a heel, which extends at least some distance from the general plane of the sole of the shoe, there may be at least a slight ledge at the verge between the heel and the rest of the sole. This ledge on the shoe may be placed in contact with the upper stop flange 9b, and the shoe may hereby be prevented from sliding forward along the sloping panel 5. However, in the absence of such a sufficient ledge on the shoe, the shoe may be kept in position on the shelf by the lower stop flange 9a, which may abut the other end, i. e. the toe, of the shoe, and prevent the shoe from sliding off the shelf 2. In case the shoe is placed on the shelf 2 with its toe directed upwards, i. e. towards the upper stop flange 9b, the lower stop flange 9a may contact the back of the heel of the shoe, which may be kept in its intended position hereby.

[0047] Arranging longitudinal frame segments 7 with the same profile on both longitudinal edges of the panel 5 may make the manufacturing of the shelf 2 easier with a reduced number of different parts comprised in the shelf 2. Also, the mounting of the shelves 2 in the frame 3, to form the shoe rack 1 , may be simplified, since the shelf 2 may be arranged with either side facing upwards with a maintained function of the stop flanges 9a, 9b. In some embodiments, this possibility of reversing the shelf 2 may be useful for obtaining different aesthetic effects, e. g. if the different surfaces of the panels have different colors or structures. Different surfaces may also have different mechanical properties, which may be particularly suitable for various types of shoes or soles of shoes. For example, corrugated, non-slip surfaces may be preferred for some shoes or soles, and perforated, permeable surfaces may be preferred in some cases. A mesh panel may provide both non-slip and permeable properties and may be considered particularly useful.

[0048] The transversal frame segments 8 provide a smooth, stable and uniform surface, with which the attachment clips 4 may interact. This may be useful in cases where the surface of the panel may not possess such properties to a sufficient degree. In Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c, the attachment clip 4 is shown in a mounted position on the transversal side of the shelf 2.

[0049] Fig. 3c shows the shelf 2 in perspective, such that both attachment clips 4 are seen. The attachment clips 4 both have a holding part 10, which holds the shelf 2 at the respective transversal frame segment 8. The lower side of the holding part 10, facing the transversal frame segment 8, is arranged to contact the surface of the transversal frame segment 8. Advantageously, the holding part 10 may comprise a surface treatment, a coating, or a pad designed to increase the friction between the holding part and the transversal frame segment 8. Further the attachment clips 4 each have a snap part 11 , which is designed for gripping around three sides of the frame 3. One or more friction pads 16, typically in an elastic material such as rubber, may be arranged on the outer side of the clips 4 to prevent the shelves 2 from sliding laterally on the frame 3.

[0050] Fig. 4 shows a section through the attachment clip 4 and a part of the extendable, rectangular frame 3 to which a slider 15 is connected. A part of the shelf 2 is visible to the right in the figure. The holding part, or seat portion, 10 of the attachment clip 4 grips the transversal frame segment 8. The holding part 10 is manufactured integrally with a snap part 11 of the attachment clip 4. In the embodiment which is shown in Fig. 4, the holding part 10 is arranged at a fixed angle relative to the snap part 11 . In other embodiments, not shown in detail in the drawings, the angle between the holding part 10 and the snap part 11 is selectable from two or more possible angles. The snap part 11 extends along an inner side of the frame 3. The snap part 11 extends upwards and forms an upper arm 12, which contacts and rests on an upper surface of the frame 3. The snap part 11 further extends downwards into a lower arm 13 with a bend 14. Typically, the distance in between the upper arm 12 and the bend 14 of the lower arm is just over 45 mm. The lower arm 13 may be actuated such that the bend 14 temporarily changes its position and the snap part 11 may be loosened from its position on the frame 3. Mounting of the attachment clip 4 on the frame 3 may be performed by positioning the upper arm 12 in a desired position on the upper surface of the frame 3, and then pressing the snap part 11 downwards in the direc- tion of the inside of the frame 3. The bend 14 and the lower arm 13 will temporarily yield, and the attachment clip 4 will snap into its mounted position.

[0051] The disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended patent claims.

[0052] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

Claims1 . A shoe rack (1 ) for a storage system, the shoe rack (1 ) comprising an extendable, rectangular frame (3) comprising sliders and being configured to slide along the sliders between a retracted position and an extended position, the shoe rack comprising at least one shoe shelf (2), each shoe shelf (2) being mounted on the extendable, rectangular frame (3), characterized in that each shoe shelf (2) is adapted to extend between two opposite sides of the extendable, rectangular frame (3) in a selectable position.

2. Shoe rack (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each shoe shelf (2) is attached to the extendable, rectangular frame (3), which is horizontally arranged, with one attachment clip (4) in a selectable position at each of the sides, between which the respective shoe shelf (2) extends.

3. Shoe rack (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the attachment clips (4) are adapted to hold each shoe shelf (2) with its plane at an angle to the plane defined by the extendable, rectangular frame (3), the angle being in the range 30-55 degrees.

4. Shoe rack (1 ) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the attachment clips (4) are designed to snap onto the extendable, rectangular frame (3).

5. A shoe shelf (2) for use in a shoe rack (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 4, the shelf (2) comprising a rectangular panel (5), with two longer and two shorter sides, characterized in the panel comprising, at its short sides, first and second attachment clips for connecting with a rectangular frame and being configured such that the shelf panel (5) is held at an angle of 30-55 degrees to a horizontal plane to support one or more pairs of shoes.

6. Shoe shelf (2) according to claim 5, wherein the rectangular panel (5) is provided with an edge framing (6), comprising a pair of longitudinal frame segments (7) and a pair of transversal frame segments (8).

7. Shoe shelf (2) according to claim 6, wherein one of the longitudinal frame segments (7) comprises a longitudinal stop flange (9) extending transversally to the plane of extension of the rectangular panel (5).

8. Shoe shelf (2) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the edge framing (6) is manufactured from metal.

9. Shoe shelf (2) according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the panel (5) is a mesh panel.

10. Shoe shelf (2) according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein its longitudinal extent is in the range of 425-500 mm.11 . Shoe shelf (2) according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein its longitudinal extent is in the range of 550-650 mm.

12. Shoe shelf (2) according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein its longitudinal extent is in the range of 850-950 mm.

13. An attachment clip (4) for a shoe shelf (2), characterized in that it comprises an upper and a lower arm (12, 13), for a snap fastening of the clip (4) on a support and an angled seat portion (10) for a shoe shelf (2).

14. Attachment clip (4) according to claim 13, wherein the clip (4) is manufactured from a plastic material.

15. A shoe shelf (2) according to any of claims 5-12 comprising two attachment clips according to claims 13 or 14.

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