Footwear removal device

Abstract

A footwear removal device has a tray extending between a rear wall and a front end of the tray, the distance between the front end and rear wall being larger than the footwear's length, whereas the tray can accommodate footwear with its heel facing the rear wall and its front end facing the front end. An integral stepping element extends in a rearward direction from the rear wall and has an upper stepping surface configured for placement of at least a front portion of a foot or a footwear thereon. At least two generally U-shaped elements are formed in the rear wall with an opening facing the front end, the U-shaped elements defining a seat for the footwear's heel and having an elongated projection extending from an inner face of the U-shaped elements into the seat along at least a portion of said inner faces and configured to engage an element of the heel such that an upward force on the footwear will not disengage the footwear from said seat.

Description

[0001] FOOTWEAR REMOVAL DEVICE

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns footwear removal devices, more specifically footwear removal devices that allows users to easily remove their footwear.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] This disclosure, by one of its embodiments, is directed to footwear removal device. The term footwear refers to any type of footwear that is worn over a foot such as boots or shoes.

[0006] The device of this disclosure comprises a tray extending between a rear wall and a front end of the tray. By some embodiments, the device comprises also a front wall at said front end and the tray is defined between the front wall and the rear wall. By some embodiments the device comprises also side walls and the tray is defined between perimeter walls that include said rear wall, a front wall at said front end and two side wall, which collectively may be referred to herein as "perimeter walls".

[0007] The distance between the front end and rear the rear wall being, typically, larger than the footwear’s length; although by some embodiments said distance may be essentially the same as the footwear's length. The term "essentially the same" should be understood to be within the range of ±10%, ±8%, ±6%, ±5%, ±4%, ±3%, ±2% or ±1% of the footwear's length.

[0008] The tray may be intended to accommodate footwears of various lengths, e.g. to accommodate a footwear of shoe sizes 6 to 15 (US shoe size system; or the corresponding sizes of 39 to 49 in the European shoe size system) for men, or 5 to 12 (US shoe size system; or the corresponding sizes of 35 to 43 in the European shoe size system) for women; or shoe sizes of 5 to 15 (US system) to accommodate the all possible show sizes of both men and women.

[0009] The tray is configured to accommodate a footwear with its heel facing the rear wall and its front end facing the front end.

[0010] The device further comprises an integral stepping element extending in a rearward direction therefrom and having an upper stepping surface configured for placement of at least a front portion of a foot or a footwear thereon. The stepping surface serves to stabilize the tray, for example through stepping on it by an opposite foot or by other means, thereby provide a counterbalance during a pulling extraction of the footwear that is engaged, through its heel, within one of said U-shaped elements.

[0011] The device additionally comprises at least two generally U-shaped elements are formed in the rear wall with an opening facing the front end of the tray. The U-shaped elements define a seat for the footwear’s heel and have an elongated projection extending from an inner face of the U-shaped elements into the seat along at least a portion of the inner faces. The U-shaped elements are configured to engage an element of the heel such that an upward force on the footwear will not disengage the footwear from said element. When so engaged, said elongated projection engages with the heel, once it is seated in one of said U-shaped elements.

[0012] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied to the footwear removal device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:

[0013] • The elongated projection extends along substantially the entire length of said inner faces.

[0014] • The elongated projection is formed at an upper end portion of the U-shaped elements.

[0015] • The device comprises both said rear wall and a front wall at said front end.

[0016] • The device comprises perimeter walls surrounding the tray.

[0017] • The footwear removal device being stackable over like footwear removal devices, wherein at a stacked state a portion of one of the footwear removal devices projects into a corresponding matching recess of another of the footwear removal devices.

[0018] • The footwear removal device comprises an element configured to accommodate a portion of a shoehorn and support it in a vertical position.

[0019] • The stepping surface of the stepping element is inclined and extends rearward and downward from its top portion adjacent said rear wall.

[0020] • The footwear removal device comprises one or more ground support elements projecting downwards from the bottom surface of the tray.

[0021] • The ground support elements: (i) may comprise portions that extend along substantially the entire circumference of the tray; (ii) may, in addition or in the alternative, be in the form of elongated abutments extending from the bottom surface. Such elongated elements may be a grid of such elements crossing one another, for example two or more first parallel elongated abutments crossed by two or more second parallel elongated abutments, e.g. the first and second elongated elements being at right angles to one another.

[0022] • The footwear removal device comprises feet, at its bottom surface, made of an elastomeric material such as rubber, to provide additional support and friction with the surface to assist in avoiding slipping on the ground during use.

[0023] • The support elements extend along substantially the entire circumference of the tray.

[0024] • The horizontal bottom wall of the tray comprises openings, e.g. holes or slits, to drain off moisture.

[0025] • The footwear removal device comprises an even number of generally U- shaped elements.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1A-1B are, respective, front and back perspective views of a footwear removal device, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0029] Fig- 2 is a blown-up cutaway view of a portion of the footwear removal device of the embodiment of Figs. 1A-1B.

[0030] Fig- 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of footwear removal device, according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0031] Fig- 4 is perspective view of a footwear removal device with a shoehorn seat, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0032] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a stack of footwear removal devices of the embodiment of Fig. 3. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the stack of Fig. 5 A.

[0033] Figs. 6A-6E show another embodiment of a footwear removal device of this disclosure, for removal and accommodation of a pair footwear, wherein Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective views, Fig. 6C is a top view, Fig. 6D is a bottom view and Fig. 6E is a side view of the device.

[0034] Figs. 7A-7E show another embodiment of a footwear removal device of this disclosure, which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 6A-6E, but for the difference that is intended for removal and accommodation of two pairs of footwears, wherein the views of Figs. 7A-7E correspond to those of Figs. 6A-6E, respectively.

[0035] Figs. 8A-8E show a boot extraction sequence using the device of Figs. 7A-7E.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Attention is first being made to Figs. 1 A-2 of the drawings, showing a footwear removal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, particularly adapted for the removal of shoes, for example boots.

[0038] A footwear removal device, generally designated 10, comprises a tray 12, an integral stepping element 20 with an upper panel 22, functioning as a stepping surface, and at least two generally U-shaped elements 30 that open in the forward direction. It should be noted that the term “U-shaped” as used herein refers to a general shape resembling the letter U and includes a shape where the internal portion is rounded and the side walls are parallel, as in the letter U, but also refer to element where the side wall are diverging or the internal portions are straight, etc. Tray 12 of this embodiment is surrounded and is defined between perimeter walls and a horizontal bottom wall 14. The perimeter walls comprise a rear wall 18, a front wall 13 at a front end of the tray and two side walls 15, 16.

[0039] The perimeter walls provide an improved structural integrity and rigidity of the device and also function as a barrier for any moisture or dirt from the footwear from spilling over the sides of the tray, but the device may also function and serve the purpose for extraction of the foot out of the footwear without such walls. In some embodiments the device has only the rear wall with the U-shaped elements and without other of the perimeter walls; in other embodiments the device has a front wall and the rear wall (without any of the side walls); and yet in other embodiments the device has one or both the side walls and the rear wall (without a front wall); and yet in still other embodiments the device has all the perimeter walls, e.g. those illustrated in the annexed drawings.

[0040] The distance LI between the front end with its optional front wall and the rear wall is larger than the footwear’s length, whereas tray 12 can accommodate a footwear with its heel facing rear wall 18 and its front end facing the front wall 13. For example, distance LI may be greater than a size (US sizes) 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5 and even greater than a 15 shoe. Thus, the tray may be configured such that the distance LI is designed to fit a footwear, typically, but not exclusively, a shoe, e.g. boots, of specific sizes or a range of sizes or may be large enough to fit all sizes.

[0041] As is shown in the Figures, the rear wall 18, a front wall 13 and two side walls 15, 16 may be a solid wall. Alternatively, the rear wall 18, a front wall 13 and two side walls 15, 16 may not be solid walls and may, for example, be latticed, meshed, slotted, porous or of any other suitable structure.

[0042] In an embodiment, horizontal bottom wall 14 may comprise holes or slits (not shown) configured for draining off moisture. A collection tray configured to accommodate footwear removal device 10 and that is positioned below the device may be provided as well, by some embodiments. The collection tray may be adapted to collect water and / or dirt which has drained from the footwear stored on top of the footwear removal device 10. A device that is combined with such a collection tray may typically have support elements such as elements 150 in the embodiment of Fig. 3 that is described below, to secure a clearance between the bottom of the device and the collection tray to thereby permit moisture, dirt, etc., to drain down to the collection tray.

[0043] Integral stepping element 20 extends in a rearward direction from tray 12. Integral stepping element 20 has an upper stepping surface 22 which is configured for stepping. According to an embodiment, while removing a shoe using device 10, a user places a first foot in tray 12, and then slides the first foot in a rearward direction until the heel of the shoe comes in contact with the inner face 36 of the U-shaped element 30. Simultaneously, the user may place the second foot on the stepping surface 22. While raising the first foot in an upward direction, the second foot thereby provides a counterbalance to the upward force of the first foot. This counterbalance provides support for the device such that the device does not move during shoe removal. The stabilization provided by this counterbalance allows for a simple, easy method for show removal. In some embodiments, the stepping surface has one or more contact-improving elements 23 that serve to secure the grip of the second foot with the stepping surface 22. By some embodiments, element 23 is stamped, engraved or embossed. By one embodiment element 23 is defined by a relief pattern formed on panel 22. By some other embodiments, element 23 is constituted by an element, e.g. made from a flexible or pliable material such as rubber or silicone rubber, that is affixed onto panel 22.

[0044] In the embodiment seen in Figs. 1A-2, upper stepping surface 22 of integral stepping element 20 is configured as a step. Step wall 24, in this embodiment, is essentially vertical. The width W1 of the stepping element, defined between wall 24 and outer edge 25 of the stepping element 20 is such to enable a user a sufficiently stable engagement with said second foot to permit extraction of the footwear, as described above.

[0045] Footwear removal device 10 comprises at least two generally U-shaped elements 30. The U-shaped elements 30 are defined in the rear wall 18 and have an opening 32 facing the front wall 13 of tray 12. The U-shaped elements 30 define a seat 33 for the footwear’s heel. Seat 33 has a shape and orientation that are configured to accept the heel of the footwear. The U-shaped elements 30 comprise an elongated projection 34 extending from an inner face 36 into the U-shaped elements 30 along at least a portion of said inner faces 36. In the shown embodiment, elongated projections 34 are an extension of plate 19 formed at the rear end of tray 12 and define the upper end of the U-shaped elements 30. Projections 34 are configured to engage an element of the heel such that an upward force on the footwear will not disengage the footwear from U-shaped element 30.

[0046] In order to allow a user to easily remove the footwear, U-shaped elements 30 may be configured such that the height of the U-shaped element 30 above bottom wall 14 at opening 32 (namely at its front end) is larger than the height of the U-shaped element 30 at the inner end adjacent inner wall 37. In other words, plate 119 is inclined from its front end towards its rear. Having a decreasing height in the rearward direction, allows the footwear's heel to be guided into the seat of the U-shaped elements 30 and to be tightly held once fully engaged and seated within, whereupon the footwear will be easily removable from the user’s foot.

[0047] In an embodiment, elongated projection 34 may extend along substantially the entire length of the inner face 36 of the U-shaped element 30. Elongated projection 34 may extend from the inner face 36 of U-shaped element 30 at an upper end portion thereof, as in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, the elongated projection may be disposed at a height other than the end portion, i.e. at a mid-level of the U-shaped element, provided that the projection is configured to engage with an element of a heel of a footwear.

[0048] Although the Figures illustrate footwear removal devices 10 comprising six U- shaped elements 30, by other embodiments the footwear removal device comprises any number of U-shaped elements. In an embodiment, footwear removal device comprises an even number of U-shaped elements.

[0049] Another embodiment of a footwear removal device 110 of this disclosure is shown in Fig. 3. Like elements (namely with a similar function) to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1A-2 are indicated with like reference numerals to those of Figs. 1A-2 shifted by 100 (for example, element 120 in Fig. 3, has a similar function to that of element 20 in Figs. 1A-2). One difference resides in that the upper surface panel 122 of the stepping element 120 is downwardly inclined towards its edge 125 and is supported at its upper portion by a support element 121. Also, the device of this embodiment includes shoeguiding markings 160, e.g. stamped, embossed or engraved on surface 122.

[0050] As can be seen in Fig. 3, footwear removal device 110 may include one or more support elements 150. Elevating elements 150 project from a bottom surface of tray 112 and, thus, elevate tray 112 from the surface. In an embodiment, support elements 150 extend along substantially the entire circumference of tray 12 essentially parallel to the perimeter walls. By other embodiments the support elements may extend along substantially the entire circumference of device 10 or may comprises elements that are formed at various positions below tray 12, for example one or more sections that extend between the perimeter elevation elements.

[0051] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the bottom portion 141 of the inner wall 136 of the U- shaped element 130 is slanted. Such a structure serves to strengthen the grip of the heel once within seat 133 as it is wedged between projection 134 and slanted bottom wall portion 141.

[0052] Another embodiment of a footwear removal device 210 of this disclosure is shown in Fig. 4. Like elements (namely such with a similar function) to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1 A-2 are indicated with like reference numerals to those of Figs. 1 A-2 shifted by 200 and shifted by 100 from those of Fig. 3 (for example, element 220 in Fig. 4, has a similar function to that of element 20 in Figs. 1A-2; and element 260 in Fig. 4 has a similar function to that of element 160 in Fig. 3).

[0053] As can be seen in the embodiment of Fig. 4, upper surface 122 of integral stepping element 120 downwardly inclines from a top plate 119 at a rear portion of tray 112 towards edge 125 and is supported by a support element 127 extending between the side edges of stepping element 120 (only one such side edge 116 is seen in Fig. 3).

[0054] Footwear removal device 210 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, further includes an element 240 which is configured to accommodate a portion of a shoehorn 241 and support it in a vertical position. Element 240 may be disposed in a comer of tray 212. For example, element 240 may be disposed in the corner defined by front wall 213 and side wall 215 or alternatively or in addition in the corner defined by front wall 213 and side wall 216. Element 240 may be disposed anywhere along front wall 213 or side walls 215, 216

[0055] A footwear removal kit, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, may include footwear removal device 210 and shoehorn 241. So as to allow easy storage of the kit, the length of shoehorn 41 is typically no longer than the length of front wall 13. This allows the shoehorn 41 to be placed in tray 12 during storage.

[0056] Footwear removal device 10, 110, 210 is typically molded of a single material. As a result, footwear removal device 10 has a one-piece monobloc construction. An exemplary material is plastic. Footwear removal device 10 may be an injection molded of plastic so that all of the features discussed herein are formed during the molding of the device. Polypropylene may be used for example in forming footwear removal device 10. Alternatively, footwear removal device 10 may be made of polycarbonate. Since polycarbonate is stronger than polypropylene, a footwear removal device made of polycarbonate can have thinner walls than a footwear removal device made of polypropylene and therefore lighter in weight.

[0057] Turning now to Fig. 5A-5B, shown is a stack 60 of footwear removal devices 110 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, stacked one on top the other in their storage position. As can be seen, the trays 110 are structured to permit such stacking. For example, portions of the perimeter wall of one footwear removal device project into a corresponding fitting recess of another footwear removal device. Such stacking may be of advantage in reducing shipping and / or storage volume of a large number of footwear removal devices. Reference is now being made to Figs. 6A-7E, showing two other embodiments of footwear removal devices 310 and 410 this disclosure. Like elements in Figs. 6A-6E (namely such with a similar function) to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1A-2 are indicated with like reference numerals to those of Figs. 1A-2 shifted by 300, and like elements to those of Fig. 3 are shifted by 200 from those of Fig. 3 (for example, element 320 in Fig. 4, has a similar function to that of element 20 in Figs. 1 A-2; and element 360 in Fig. 4 has a similar function to that of element 160 in Fig. 3). Similarly, like elements in Figs. 7A-7E (namely such with a similar function) to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1 A-2 are indicated with like reference numerals to those of Figs. 1 A-2 shifted by 400, and like elements to those of Fig. 3 are shifted by 300 from those of Fig. 3 (for example, element 420 in Fig. 4, has a similar function to that of element 20 in Figs. 1A-2; and element 460 in Fig. 4 has a similar function to that of element 160 in Fig. 3).

[0058] In the embodiments of Figs. 6A-6E and that of Figs. 7A-7E, the rear wall of U- shaped elements 330,430, extend above that of the front end of respective stepping elements 320,420. Also, the bottom face of wall 314,414 has a grid of support of respective elements 350,450 and feet 380,480 made of an elastomeric material such as rubber, to provide further support and friction with the surface to assist in avoiding slipping on the ground during use.

[0059] Additionally, formed in walls 314,414 are respective drainage openings to drain water from wet footwear that accumulates within the train 312,412.

[0060] Reference is now made to Figs. 8A-8E showing a sequence of boot extraction, wherein a user places the tip of the right boot on the stepping element, while moving the left boot into the U-shaped element (Fig. 8A) until engaging the rear of the boot in the U- shaped element (Fig. 8B). Thereafter, the user can easily extract the foot from the boot against the stabilizing support provided by the right leg (Fig. 8C). Then the tip of the left foot is placed on the stepping element and the right foot can then be extracted in a similar manner (Figs. 8D-8F).

[0061] While the present subject matter has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A footwear removal device, comprising: a tray extending between a rear wall and a front end of the tray, the distance between the front end and rear wall being larger than the footwear’s length, whereas the tray can accommodate a footwear with its heel facing the rear wall and its front end facing the front end; an integral stepping element extending in a rearward direction from the rear wall and having an upper stepping surface configured for placement of at least a front portion of a foot or a footwear thereon; at least two generally U-shaped elements formed in the rear wall with an opening facing the front end, the U-shaped elements defining a seat for the footwear’s heel and having an elongated projection extending from an inner face of the U-shaped elements into the seat along at least a portion of said inner faces and configured to engage an element of the heel such that an upward force on the footwear will not disengage the footwear from said seat.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising a front wall at said front end.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray is defined between perimeter walls comprising a front, two side walls and said rear wall.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said elongated projection extends along substantially the entire length of said inner faces.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said elongated projection is formed at an upper end portion of the U-shaped elements.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, being stackable over like footwear removal devices.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to5, comprising an element configured to accommodate a portion of a shoehorn and support it in a vertical position.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said stepping surface is inclined and extends rearward and downward from its portion adjacent said rear wall.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising one or more ground-support elements projecting downwards from a bottom surface of the tray.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more ground-support elements comprise portions that extend along substantially the entire circumference of the tray.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said ground support elements comprise a grid of support elements formed at its bottom surface.

12. The footwear removal device of any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising feet, at its bottom surface, made of an elastomeric material.

13. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the horizontal bottom wall comprises openings for draining off moisture.

14. The device of any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising an even number of generally U-shaped elements.

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