None.
None.
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying and storing footwear or other objects.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Devices for carrying and storing footwear and ice skates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,483,470, 5,582,337, 5,642,842, 5,690,261, and in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US2009/0071917 and US2010/0252592.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for carrying and storing footwear. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a flexible, substantially “T” shaped member comprising a first section having a longitudinally extending axis and which extends to a distal end, and a second section that is transverse to the first section. The flexible, substantially “T” shaped member has a front side and a rear side. The second section comprises a first portion that is orthogonal to the longitudinally extending axis and extends to a first distal end in a first direction. The second section also has a second portion that is orthogonal to the longitudinally extending axis and extends to a second distal end in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of fastening devices on the front side of the substantially “T” shaped member, wherein at least one fastening device is located on the first section adjacent to the second section and at least one fastening device is on the first portion of the second section adjacent the first distal end. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of mating fastening devices on the rear side of the substantially “T” shaped member, wherein each of the fastening devices on the front side are configured to be removably connected to a corresponding mating fastener on the rear side. At least one of the mating fastening devices is on the first section adjacent the distal end of the first section. At least one mating fastening device is on the second portion of the second section adjacent the second distal end. The first and second portions of the second section each have a length that is sufficient to allow the first and second portions to be inserted through an object and then attached together with the fastening device on the first portion of the second section and the mating fastening device on the second portion of the second section. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes means for removably attaching a decorative item to the substantially “T” shaped member.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for carrying and storing footwear comprising a flexible, substantially “T” shaped member comprising a first section that has a longitudinally extending axis and which extends to a distal end, and a second section that is transverse to the first section. The second section comprises a first portion that extends in a first direction to a first distal end and a second portion that extends in an opposite, second direction to a second distal end. The flexible, substantially “T” shaped member has a front side and a rear side. A plurality of fastening devices are on the front side of the substantially “T” shaped member, wherein at least one fastening device is located on the first section adjacent to the second section and at least one fastening device is on the first portion of the second section adjacent the first distal end of the first portion. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of mating fastening devices on the rear side of the substantially “T” shaped member. Each of the fastening devices on the front side are configured to be removably attached to a corresponding mating fastener on the rear side. At least one of the mating fastening devices is on the first section adjacent the distal end of the first section, and at least one mating fastening device is on the second portion of the second section adjacent the second distal end of the second portion. The first and second portions of the second section each have a length that is sufficient to allow the first portion and the second portion to be inserted through an object and then attached together with the fastening device on the first portion and the mating fastening device on the second portion so as to form a first closed loop. The first section forms a second closed loop when the mating fastening device on the rear side of the first section is connected to the fastening device on the front side of the first section.
Other embodiments of the invention are described in the ensuing description.
Referring to
Referring to
Apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of fastening devices 40 on front side 23 of substantially “T” shaped member 12. At least one fastening device 40 is located on first section 14 adjacent to second section 20 and at least one fastening device 40 is on first portion 26 and adjacent to first distal end 28. Apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of mating fastening devices 42 on rear side 24 of substantially “T” shaped member 12. Each fastening device 40 on front side 23 is configured to be removably connected to a corresponding mating fastening device 42 on rear side 24. At least one mating fastening device 42 is on first section 14 adjacent to distal end 18. At least one mating fastening device 42 is on second portion 32 and adjacent to second distal end 33. In order to configure apparatus 10 in a completely fastened state, a user will connect mating fastening device 42B to fastening device 40B, and will connect mating fastening device 42A to fastening device 40A.
In a preferred embodiment, substantially “T” shaped member 12 is fabricated from materials chosen from the group comprising silicone, silicone rubber, leather, synthetic leather, plastic, resin, denim fabric, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) which is marketed under the federally registered trademark GORE-TEX®. Other suitable fabrics may be used as well.
In a preferred embodiment, the material from which substantially “T” shaped member 12 is fabricated is a pliable material.
In a preferred embodiment, the substantially “T” shaped member 12 is fabricated from eco-friendly materials.
In a preferred embodiment, substantially “T” shaped member 12 has a degree of elasticity.
In a preferred embodiment, the material from which substantially “T” shaped member 12 is fabricated is waterproof.
Each of the fastening devices 40 and mating fastening devices 42 may be configured as any suitable commercially available fastening device such as metal snaps, plastic snaps, hooks, slide clasps, interlocking clasps and magnets. If magnets are used, then each fastening device 40 is configured as a magnet, and each mating fastening device 42 is configured as a piece of magnetic material such as iron or other suitable magnetic material. Each of the fastening devices 40 and mating fastening devices 42 may also be configured as fabric hook-and-loop fasteners which are marketed under the trademark VELCRO®.
In one embodiment, each fastening device 40 comprises a male snap, and each of the plurality of mating fastening devices 42 comprises a complementary mating, female snap.
In an alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 includes more than one fastening device 40A on front side 23 of section 14. In such an embodiment, the fastening devices 40A are positioned in a linear arrangement along longitudinally extending axis 16.
In an alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 includes more than one mating fastening device 42A attached to rear side 24 of section 14. In such an embodiment, mating fastening devices 42A are positioned in a linear arrangement along longitudinally extending axis 16.
In an alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 includes more than one fastening device 40B attached to front side 23 of portion 26. In such an embodiment, mating fastening devices 40B are positioned in a linear arrangement.
In an alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 includes more than one mating fastening device 42B on the rear side 24 of portion 32. In such an embodiment, mating fastening devices 42B are positioned in a linear arrangement.
Referring to
Referring to
In an alternate embodiment, a hook is used in place of device 80. In such an alternate embodiment, the hook has a fastening device that is configured to be removably connected to a corresponding mating fastening device on second section 20. The hook has a size and shape that allows it to be secured to a clothes closet hanger bar or other similar structure.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The apparatus 10 of the present invention has many uses and applications. Apparatus 10 may be removably secured to a belt loop, back-pack, knap-sack, bicycle, etc. This can be accomplished by just inserting or wrapping portions 26 and 32 around the object (e.g. belt loop) and then attaching portions 26 and 32 together to form the closed loop. In the alternative, device 80 can be attached to apparatus 10 and then device 80 can then be removably secured or attached to almost any object, e.g. bicycle handle, belt loops, closet hanger, knap-sack, back-pack, any of the loops on a back-pack or knap-sack, nail, peg, clothes hook, clothes closet hanger bar, etc. Apparatus 10 may be used to carry or store other objects such as belts, keys, toys, jewelry, etc.
It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4096977 | Barville et al. | Jun 1978 | A |
4420104 | DiIenno | Dec 1983 | A |
4483470 | Cousins | Nov 1984 | A |
4877163 | Zimmerman | Oct 1989 | A |
5104076 | Goodall, Jr. | Apr 1992 | A |
5174483 | Moore et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5265834 | Daniels | Nov 1993 | A |
5535928 | Herring | Jul 1996 | A |
5582337 | McPherson | Dec 1996 | A |
5642842 | Taras | Jul 1997 | A |
5690261 | Moore | Nov 1997 | A |
5806730 | Deno | Sep 1998 | A |
5975392 | Miller et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6000591 | Alexander | Dec 1999 | A |
6318612 | MacNeil | Nov 2001 | B1 |
8177075 | Hathorn | May 2012 | B2 |
20020030071 | Griffiths | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20090000083 | Richard et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090071917 | Hathorn | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20100252592 | McKinney et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20130015226 | Goodwin | Jan 2013 | A1 |