WO2009156947A1

WO2009156947A1 - Modular shoe rack for neatly arranging shoes, boots, slippers or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2009156947A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maria Grazia De Caro
Original assignee: Maria Grazia De Caro
Priority date: 2008-06-25
Filing date: 2009-06-23
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: ITRM20080349A1

Abstract

A modular shoe rack to be hung, comprised of containers (1, 1') connected therebetween through the straps (2) or the like, fastened by means of snap fasteners (3) or the like, with slots 4 in the containers (1, 1') for insertion of the straps (2); with elastic band (5) or the like, provided with adjustment device (6) and rectangular ring (7), for supporting shoes; shelf (8), fastened with snap fasteners (3), for housing shoes rather than boots.

Description

MODULAR SHOE RACK FOR NEATLY ARRANGING SHOES, BOOTS, SLIPPERS

OR THE LIKE DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a novel type of shoe rack, particularly apt to be useful in environments having scarce space availability for an additional piece of furniture serving as shoe-holder and boot-holder. History of technology

The invention of this novel design of shoe rack is born to be placed on the doors of various household environments, or even hung on small wall spaces, therefore without taking up any part of the floor. Description of the prior art

The household problem of putting away shoes is currently solved by various types of furniture, always requiring a certain space, or with designs to be hung to doors, where the main elements for putting away footwear are: cases with pockets, fully visible spaces, or grids where shoes can be inserted on suitable supports. Drawbacks of the prior art

These solutions are all aesthetically less than pleasing, due to the sight of all the shoes put away and also because these designs, under the weight of the shoes, deform out of their original line; in addition, they always entail the problems of dust depositing on the footwear and of possible odors lingering in the environment.

Also, remarkably, shoes with a certain size and shape are unlikely to find a right and easy placing in the housings prearranged by these designs. Moreover, it should be stressed that none of these designs to be hung takes into account the problem of being able to put away one or more pairs of boots. Objects of the Invention

Object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a modular shoe rack element as substantially described in claim 1 , as well as by providing a shoe rack as substantially described in claim 21. Further features of the process are defined in the corresponding dependent claims thereof.

Advantages of the invention

The present invention, by overcoming the mentioned problems of the known art, entails several evident advantages which solve all of the aforementioned problems. It is comprised of a set of vertically placed containers, connected to each other through straps that act as connector. On the top, at the end of the straps, the presence of holes, rings or the like allows to hang the composition.

Each container in its inside has a system for neatly keeping shoes, boots and slippers, a system for strap insertion and fastening and a system for adding further shelves in the containers.

The inside of each container is prearranged with an elastic band or the like, provided with an adjustment device or the like, apt to support the shoe in a neat position. To connect one container to the other one, slots are present which allow insertion of straps in the container for subsequent attachable/detachable fastening, through snap fasteners or the like.

In the boots container a shelf is added, fastened by snap fasteners or the like, allowing the alternative of putting away two pairs of shoes instead of one of boots; for this reason, in the container two elastic bands are present. By attaching or detaching the snap fasteners, the shelf is raised or lowered. The shoe rack, in order to be hung, is completed by hooks, suitable for being positioned on the door, on both faces, or for wall fastening.

Each container is independent, by means of the system of attachable/detachable straps with snap fasteners. Several are the advantages of the shoe rack subject-matter of the present invention: a door or wall could be innovatively utilized, solving all problems left unsolved by existing designs. Shoes, ankle boots, half boots, boots and slippers will be neatly stored inside each container, perfectly protected from dust and without giving off unpleasant odors in the environment.

Thanks to the assembly type of the entire composition and the construction material strength, the line of the design does not deform under shoe weight. Hygiene is ensured with the household cleaning operations inside and outside the container.

It will be possible to neatly put away one or more pairs of boots. Advantageously, the shoe rack subject-matter of the present invention entails the option of transforming the boots container into a container for two pairs of shoes. In each container, even very big shoes like, e.g., those having an U.S. size number of about 12, find a right and easy placing.

Moreover, there is the option of placing the shoe rack both on the door and on the wall. Each user will be able to create at will his/her own composition, according to needs and preferences, by selecting the type and quantity of containers. It will be a pleasure to the sight, as there will appear a set of neatly connected containers which could be decorated with colors, images, printed finishes, imitation wood, metal, through various printing, silk-screen printing techniques, etc. The containers could also be lined with various materials such as leather, fabric or the like, or treated with plasticization or the like.

The entire composition of the containers is made of paper products, with a punch, using honeycomb polypropylene or other material. This material is light-weight, rigid, durable, washable, water-repellent, ecological, reusable and recyclable, handy, easy to punch, print, weld, glue, fasten with nails, screws and staples.

Each container could be packaged and distributed flattened, without taking up volume; this will allow practicalness for selling and a saving on manufacturing and distribution costs.

The user will take care of the simple assembly of the container and then of the composition.

Detailed description of the drawings

Hereinafter the invention is explained in more detail with the aid of drawings depicting some manufacture examples thereof and a prototype manufactured with makeshift means, expressing the idea of the innovation and of its efficient operation.

Fig. 1 shows, in an axonometric view, a composition of containers for neatly arranging shoes, ankle boots, half boots and slippers.

Fig. 2 depicts, in axonometry, a composition of containers for neatly arranging shoes, ankle boots, half boots, boots and slippers.

In Fig. 3 it is indicated, in an axonometric view, the internal system of prearranged snap fasteners, for connecting the containers with the straps passing through the slots, and for the shelf to be placed in the boots container.

In Fig. 4 it is depicted, in axonometry, the fastening of the straps through the snap fasteners.

Fig. 5 shows, in axonometry, the shelf in the boots container; the shelf is fastened by means of snap fasteners; by attaching or detaching the lateral ones, the shelf is raised or lowered.

Fig. 6 shows, in axonometry, the shelf raised and lowered. In Fig. 7 it is depicted, in an axonometric view, the boots container utilized with the shelf raised, in order to arrange two pairs of shoes instead of one of boots.

Fig. 8 shows, in an axonometric view, the shelf raised and lowered; there may be observed the presence of the second elastic band, under the shelf, to be used for the shoe. Fig. 9 shows, in axonometry, the internal shoe-holding system comprised of the elastic band, provided with an adjustment device for adjusting the elastic band to the different shoe sizes; the ends of the elastic band are not positioned perpendicularly but in a slightly slanted manner, for a better footwear holding. Footwear can be placed in both directions.

Always in Fig. 9 there can be observed the full opening of the cover, cover that is provided with a shaping for manual opening.

In Fig. 10 it is indicated the adjustment device allowing to adjust the elastic band length according to footwear size.

Fig. 11 shows the rectangular ring allowing sliding of the elastic band for adjustment. Fig. 12 shows the strap, attachable/detachable through snap fasteners, for assembling and disassembling the containers thereamong. The strap can be observed, with the end provided with a coupling for hanging.

In Fig. 13 there are indicated, by front elevations, some examples of compositions of containers for neatly arranging shoes, ankle boots, half boots, slippers or the like.

In Fig. 14 there are indicated the side elevations of the composition examples in Fig. 13; cover opening movement can be observed.

Fig. 15 illustrates, by side elevations, various types of hooks for the door and the hook for the wall. These are adjustable to the door shape and position, on the front or rear face thereof.

Fig. 16 illustrates the hooks mounted on different door types and in the various positions; also the wall-mounted hook is illustrated.

Fig. 17, a prototype of the shoe rack manufactured with makeshift means, shows the composition of the containers connected by the straps. Fig. 18 shows the shoe rack with shoes and boots arranged therein.

Fig. 19 shows the housing of slippers and half boots and the opening of the lid.

Fig. 20 shows the coupling of the straps to the door hooks.

Fig. 21 shows the housing of boots.

Fig. 22 shows the boots container, with the shelf lowered and fastened with snap fasteners.

Fig. 23 shows the boots container, with the shelf lowered and the second elastic band for shoe supporting.

Fig. 24 shows the boots container, with the shelf raised and fastened by means of snap fasteners. Fig. 25 shows the boots container with the shelf raised and in the presence of the second elastic band. Fig. 26 shows the boots container with the shelf raised to house two pairs of shoes.

Fig. 27 shows the elastic band with the adjustment device and the rectangular ring for sliding of the elastic band; these, together, allow to adjust the elastic band length in order to adapt it to the various footwear sizes.

Fig. 28 shows the fastening system for the straps, through the prearranged snap fasteners.

Fig. 29 shows the straps fastened to the container.

Fig. 30 shows footwear, having an U.S. size number of about 12, easily housed in the container.

The figures depict modular containers for neatly arranging shoes, boots, slippers or the like, substantially comprised of: containers 1 , 1' having a preferably parallelepiped configuration; straps 2 for connecting the containers 1 , 1'; - snap fasteners 3, for attachable/detachable fastening, prearranged on the straps 2 and on the bottom of the containers 1 , 1'; snap fasteners 3, for attachable/detachable fastening, prearranged on the shelf 8, on the bottom and sides of the containers; slots 4, prearranged in the containers 1 , 1' for insertion of straps 2 for subsequent fastening by means of the snap fasteners 3; elastic band 5, for supporting shoes and boots, provided with adjustment device 6 and rectangular ring 7; adjustment device 6, apt to adjust the length of the elastic band 5 to the footwear size; - rectangular ring 7, for allowing the sliding of the elastic band 5 with the adjustment device 6;

- shelf 8, fastened with snap fasteners 3, to be utilized raised or lowered in order to alternatively house two pairs of shoes or one pair of boots; shaping 9, for facilitating the opening of the containers 1 , 1 '; - coupling element 10, placed at the ends of the straps 2.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments, construction details, materials, sizes, might be amply varied with respect to what has been hereto described and illustrated, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention has been hereto described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling The present invention has been hereto described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. A modular shoe rack element for arranging shoes, boots or the like, comprising a container (1 , 1') apt to house thereinside one or more of said shoes, boots or the like, said modular element (1 , 1') being characterized in that it comprises means (2) for reversible connection to a modular element consecutive thereto.

2. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said container (1 , 1') has a substantially parallelepiped shape.

3. The modular element according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said container (1 , 1') has an opening/closure cover.

4. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said opening/closure cover comprises grip means (9).

5. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said grip means (9) comprises a shaping (9) made at an edge of said opening/closure cover.

6. The modular element according to one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein said container (1 , 1 ') is connected to said cover by a hinge-type connection.

7. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said hinge connection is positioned at a bottom portion of said container (1 , 1'), in a manner such that said opening is gravity-assisted.

8. The modular element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (1 , 1') comprises thereinside means (5) for supporting said shoes, boots or the like.

9. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting means (5) comprises at least one elastic band (5) positioned at a top portion of said container (1 , 1').

10. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one elastic band (5) is connected to the container (1, 1') at two ends thereof, wherein a first end is positioned along a vertical center line of said container (1, 1'), and a second end is detached from said center line in a manner such that the line joining said two ends be slanted with respect thereto.

11. The modular element according to claims 9 or 10, wherein said elastic band (5) has adjustment means (6, 7) for adjusting a length thereof.

12. The modular element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (1') thereinside has partitioning means (8).

13. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said partitioning means (8) comprises a shelf (8) removably connected internally to said container (1 ')•

14. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said shelf (8) is connected to said container (1¹) by snap-type fasteners (3).

15. The modular element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reversible connection means (2) comprises one or more straps (2) apt to reversibly connect said container (1 , 1¹) to a container consecutive thereto.

16. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more straps (2) are reversibly connected to said container (1 , 1')

17. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more straps (2) are connected to said container (1 , T) by snap-type fasteners (3).

18. The modular element according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more straps (2) are positioned at a rear face of said container (1 , 1').

19. The modular element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (1 , 1') is manufactured with a material comprising honeycomb polypropylene.

20. The modular element according to any one of the preceding claims, provided in the form of an assembly kit.

21. A shoe rack for arranging shoes, boots or the like, characterized in that it is modular by the union of a plurality of modular elements according to any one of the claims 1 to 20.

22. The shoe rack according to the preceding claim, further comprising means (10) for coupling to an external support.

23. The shoe rack according to claims 21 or 22, wherein said modular elements of said plurality are arranged, when connected, in a substantially vertical arrangement.

24. The shoe rack according to any one of the claims 21 to 23, provided in the form of an assembly kit.