FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shoe polishing stand and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a stand which holds a shoe to be shined by a person sitting in a chair or on a stool. The shoe polishing stand of the present invention includes a collapsible pouch for storing shoe polish, brushes, buffing cloths (sometimes also referred to herein as polishing cloths), and other shoe polishing supplies. For convenience only, reference will be made herein to shoe polishers as being of the male gender. It will be understood that the shoe polishing stand of the present invention is equally useful to anyone, whether male or female, wishing to shine shoes.
DISCUSSION
Personal shoe polishing kits are known in the art. One type of personal shoe polishing kit resembles a shaving kit and merely provides a case for storing shoe polishing supplies. Another type of personal shoe polishing kit includes a box, usually of wood, for storing shoe polishing supplies and a foot plate attached to the box. To use the foot plate, the polisher must leave his shoe on his foot. After applying polish to the shoe, the polisher places the polisher's shoe, still attached to the polisher's foot, on the foot plate and bends forward to use the brush and buffing cloth. The polisher applies force, through the polisher's leg and foot, to maintain the shoe in position on the foot plate attached to the box.
Commercial shoe shine stands utilize one or more foot plates attached to an elevated stand. A customer desiring a shoe shine climbs onto the elevated stand and places his shoe-clad fee on the foot plates. The customer applies force, through the customer's leg and foot, to maintain the shoe in position on the foot plate while the commercial shoe polisher applies shoe polish to the shoe and then utilizes a brush and/or buffing cloth to produce a shine. The commercial shoe polisher enjoys the convenience and leverage resulting from the elevation of the customer's shoe to a convenient working height while the customer applies force to keep the shoe firmly in position on the foot plate.
Until now, the home shoe polisher was unable to obtain the benefits normally available only to a commercial shoe polisher using a commercial shoe shine stand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicant's invention provides a sturdy shoe polishing stand for cleaning and polishing shoes and boots. A clamping assembly holds the shoe firmly in position on a foot plate at a convenient working height for the shoe polisher, and, in one embodiment, an attached collapsible pouch provides accessible storage for shoe polishing materials. The shoe polishing stand of the present invention folds for easy storage in a closet or under a bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view, in partial cross section, of a clamping assembly and a shoe plate assembly according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with clamping assembly removed, of the shoe plate assembly shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is another view of the shoe plate assembly of FIG. 1, in partial cross section, showing movement of the foot plate between a use position and a storage position.
FIG. 4 is another view of the shoe polishing stand of FIG. 1, in partial cross section, showing folding of the shoe clamp for storage.
FIG. 5 is a rear view, with end portions of the ridge member cut away, showing, of the upper portion of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of a shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention wherein the device shown in FIG. 1 is supported by two front legs attached to a folding rear leg.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 9 is still another embodiment of a shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
FIG. 12 is another embodiment of a shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 14 is a view of another embodiment of a shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 15 is another view, with a portion cutaway, of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-15 folded for storage.
FIG. 17 is a view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-16 folded in an alternate configuration for storage.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-17 with a portion cut away.
FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-18.
FIG. 20 is another view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-19.
FIG. 21 is another view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-20.
FIG. 22 is another view of the shoe polishing stand shown in FIGS. 14-21.
FIG. 23 is a view of another shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
FIG. 24 is a view of another shoe polishing stand according to applicant's invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, applicant's shoe polishing stand includes a shoe plate assembly 52 attached to a folding stand 54 (see FIGS. 6-7). The shoe polishing stand 50 is formed by a ridge member 56, front legs 58, 60, and a fold-out rear leg 62. The rear leg 62 pivots on a pin 64 recessed within the ridge member 56 (see FIGS. 6-7).
Referring now to FIG. 1, the shoe holder 52 is attached to the ridge member 56. The shoe holder 52 is formed by a shoe plate assembly 66 working in cooperation with a clamp assembly 68. The shoe plate assembly 66 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the clamp assembly 68 is shown in a use position wherein a force is exerted by the clamp assembly 68 along A to hold the shoe S against a split foot plate 70. The split foot plate 70 is elevated above the ridge member 56 by support members 72 attached to a foot plate base member 74. The foot plate base member 74 has two rearwardly extending arms 76, 78 attached to hinge members 82. The hinge members 82 are secured to the rear 84 of the ridge member 56 by fasteners 86.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the shoe plate assembly 66 is shown in a use position. The foot plate base member 74 rests against the top 88 of the ridge member 56.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the split foot plate 70, the support members 72, and the foot plate base member 74 (see FIG. 3) move along B between a use position, as indicated in FIG. 2, and a storage position, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3 (see also FIG. 4).
Referring now to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7, the clamp assembly 68 consists of a clamp assembly base 90, a lower clamping member 92, and an extended clamping member 94. A spring 96 biases the lower clamping member 92 and the extended clamping member 94 to produce a force along A. The upper end 98 of the lower clamping member 92 terminates in a fork 100. The fork 100 receives a mating portion 102 formed on the upper end 104 of the extended clamping member 94. A shoulder 106 adjacent the fork 100 in the lower clamping member 92 prevents counterclockwise rotation of the extended clamping member 94 within the fork 100 of the lower clamping member 92 beyond the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.
Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5-7, a shoe insert assembly 108 is pivotally attached to the extending clamping member 94. The extending clamping member 94 terminates in an elongated fork 110. The shoe insert assembly 108 is formed by an L-shaped heel member 112 having a short side 114 having an end 116 and a long side 118 having a mid-portion 120 and a threaded female end portion 121 distal from the short side 114. The end 116 of the short side 114 of the L-shaped heel member 112 is pressed downwardly against the heel H of the shoe S along A by the force exerted on the extended clamping member 94 by the biasing spring 96.
Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5-7, wherein the clamping assembly 68 and the shoe insert assembly 108 are shown in the use position, a split toe member 122 is pivotally attached to a toe connecting member 124 having a front end 126 and a back end 128. The toe connecting member 124 is attached at the front end 126 to a pin 130 extending between the two sections of the split toe member 122. The pin 126 also functions as a shaft on which the toe connecting member 124 pivots. The back end 128 of the toe connecting member 124 terminates in a threaded female connector 132. A threaded rod 134 connects the threaded female connector 132 to the threaded female end portion 121 attached to the long side 118 of the L-shaped heel member 112.
Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5-7, a front transverse bore 136, a middle transverse bore 138, and a rear transverse bore 140 in the mid-portion 120 of the L-shaped heel member 112 permit selective attachment of the shoe insert assembly 108 to the elongated fork 110 of the extended clamping member 94 by a removable transverse pin 142. The positioning of the transverse bore (136, 138, 140) to which the extended clamping member 94 is attached, together with adjustment of the threaded adjusting rod 134, permits adjustment of the length of the shoe insert assembly 108 to conform to the size of the shoe S.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a recess 150 receives the end 152 of the clamping assembly base member 90. A plate 154 (see FIG. 4) attached to the clamping assembly base member 90 has four bores 156 which receive clamping assembly base member attachment screws 158. The clamping assembly base member attachment screws 158 mate with ridge member threaded bores 160 to secure the clamping assembly base member 90, and hence the entire clamping assembly 68, to the ridge member 56.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, in operation the shoe polisher moves the lower clamping member 92 and the extended clamping member 94 of the clamping assembly 68 slightly upwards against the biasing spring 96 to insert the shoe S on the split foot plate 70. The polisher then inserts the shoe insert assembly 108 into the shoe S so the split toe member 122 extends toward the front of the shoe S and the end 116 of the L-shaped heel member 112 rests against the inner heel portion H of the shoe S. If the overall length of the shoe insert assembly 108 is too long or too short, the shoe polisher can adjust the length of the shoe insert assembly by selectively positioning the extended clamping member 94 in one of the transverse bores 136,138,140 in the mid-portion 120 of the L-shaped heel member 112. The polisher can adjust the length of the shoe insert assembly 108 more finely by moving the split toe member 122 in (i.e., to shorten the shoe insert assembly 108) or out (i.e., to lengthen the shoe insert assembly 108) on the threaded adjusting rod 134. With the shoe S held firmly in place against the split foot plate 70, the polisher can proceed to polish the shoe H in the same way a commercial shoe polisher shines shoes.
Still referring to FIGS. 1-7, and more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the split foot plate 70 is rotated backward along B until the foot split plate 70 is hanging along the rear 84 of the ridge member 56 of the shoe polishing stand 50 of the present invention. With the split foot plate 70 out of the way, the lower clamping member 92 and the extended clamping member 94 are spring biased by the spring 96 toward the front of the ridge member 56 as shown in FIG. 4. The L-shaped heel member 112 of the shoe insert assembly 108 rotates through the elongated fork 110 of the extending clamping member 94, the split toe member 122 comes to rest against the extended clamping member 96, and the lower clamping member 92 comes to rest against the top 88 of the ridge member 56.
Referring now to FIGS. 4, 6, and 10-13 a storage compartment 170 provides storage for shoe polishing equipment such as brushes B, shoe polish P, and buffing cloths (not shown) is attached to the ridge member 56. The storage compartment 170 is in the shape of a collapsible pouch having a bottom 172 and ends 174 (see FIG. 13). As shown more clearly in FIGS. 10-13, a dowel 176 inserted through a sleeve 178 secures one side of the storage compartment 170 to one side (preferably, the front) of the ridge member 56 (see FIG. 12). A second dowel 180 inserted through a second sleeve 182 secures the other side of the storage compartment 170 to the other side (preferably, the back) of the ridge member 56 or, in the alternative, to folding rear legs 184 (see FIG. 11). In the storage position, the ends 186 of the second dowel 180 are supported by notches 188 in the ridge member 56. In the use position, the ends 186 of the second dowel 180 are supported by lower notches 190 in the folding rear legs 184.
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the storage compartment 170 of applicant's shoe polishing stand 50 collapses for compact storage and opens for use by the shoe polisher. It will be further understood that the use of dowels for attachment to the ridge member 56 and rear legs 58, 62 (see FIG. 6) or rear legs 84 (see FIGS. 10-13) provides adaptability of the storage compartment 170 to a variety of configurations.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, and to FIG. 8 in particular, shown therein is another clamping assembly 200 for holding the shoe S against a foot plate 202. A vertical member 204 has a base 206 which is received within a recess 208 in the ridge member 56 and an upper end portion 210. A horizontal arm 212 has a transverse bore 214 on one end and a parallel threaded bore 216 on the other end. The transverse bore 214 receives the upper end portion 210 of the vertical member 204. The horizontal arm 212 slides along C to achieve proper elevation with respect to the foot plate 202. A thumb screw 218 locks the horizontal arm 212 in proper position on the vertical member 204.
Still referring to FIG. 8, a threaded member 220 having a thumb adjustment 222 at the top and a flexible wide foot 224 at the bottom extends through the threaded bore 216 in the horizontal arm 212. The recess 208 is offset with respect to the alignment of the foot plate 202 so that the horizontal arm 212 is positioned on the vertical member 204 so the flexible wide foot 224 is pressed snugly against the inner heel portion H of the shoe S. Then, as the polisher tightens the thumb adjustment 222 attached to the threaded member 220, the clamping assembly 200 is placed in a bind, thereby securing the shoe S against the foot plate 202.
Still referring to FIGS. 8-11, the foot plate 202 shown therein is a split foot plate similar to the split foot plate 70 shown in FIGS. 1-7. In FIGS. 8-11, however, the foot plate 202 is supported by supports 226. Each support 226 terminates at its lower end in a base member 228 received by a recess 230 in the top 88 of the ridge member 56.
Referring now to FIG. 9, shown therein is another clamping assembly 250 according to the present invention. A C-shaped vertical member 252 is pivotally attached to a base member 254. The other end of the C-shaped vertical member 252 is connected to a flexible wide foot 256 which rests against the inner heel portion H of the shoe S. A spring 258 biases the C-shaped vertical member 252 so the flexible wide foot 256 applies a force against the inner heel portion H of the shoe S along A.
Referring again to FIGS. 8-11, the ridge member 56 shown therein is integrally attached to front legs 270. In FIGS. 8 and 11, the rear legs 184 fold within the front legs 270. Bracket assemblies 272 (one on each end) connect the front legs 270 to the rear legs 184. Each bracket assembly 272 is formed from two pivotally attached members 274. One end of each pivotally attached member 274 is connected to a common pivot pin 276. The other ends of the pivotally attached members 274 are attached to the front legs 270 and the rear legs 184, respectively, by additional pivot members 278.
Referring now to FIG. 9, two bracket assemblies 272 (one on each end) connect the front legs 270 to rear legs 280. The rear legs 280 pivot on rear leg pivots 282 (only one shown) and the bracket collapses to permit the rear legs 280 to fold inside the front legs 270.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, another shoe polishing stand 300 according to applicant's invention includes a foot plate 302 attached to the ridge member 56. The foot plate 302 includes a support 304 and a base member 306 received in a recess 308 in the ridge member 56.
Referring now to FIGS. 14-21, and in particular in FIG. 14, another shoe polishing stand 400 according to applicant's invention consists of a shoe-holder assembly 402 supported by a scissor-style stand 404. A first stand member 406 has a lower end 408 and an upper end 410. Two parallel stand members 412 have lower ends 414 and upper ends 416. The first stand member 406 is disposed between and pivotally attached to the two parallel stand members 412 by a support pivot bolt 418 so as to create an upstanding asymmetric “X” when the shoe polishing stand 400 is deployed in the use position shown in FIGS. 18-21. A first transverse foot member 420 having ends 422, 424 is rigidly attached to the lower end 408 of the first stand member 406, and a second transverse foot member 426 having ends 428, 430 is rigidly attached to the lower ends 414 of the parallel stand members 412 (see FIG. 20). End caps 432, preferably rubber or plastic, are attached to the ends 422, 424 of the first transverse foot member 420 and the ends 428, 430 of the second transverse foot member 426.
Still referring to FIGS. 14-21, and in particular to FIGS. 15 and 21, the shoe holder assembly 402 holds a shoe S having a toe portion T, a rear portion R, and a heel H in position for cleaning or polishing. The shoe holder assembly 402 is deployed at a convenient elevation for a seated user by the scissor-style stand 404. A shoe plate support member 440 has a front end 442, an intermediate portion 444, and a tapered rear end 446. Adjacent the front end 442, the shoe plate support member 440 is pivotally attached to the parallel stand members 412 by a bolt 448 proximate the upper ends 416 of the parallel stand members 412. In the use position shown in FIGS. 15 and 21, an eye bolt 450 extends downwardly through the tapered rear end 446 of the shoe plate support member 440 and through the first stand member 406. A wing nut 452 secures the eye bolt 450 in place so the eye 454 of the eye bolt 450 rests against the top of the shoe plate support member 440 adjacent the tapered rear end 446.
Still referring to FIGS. 14-21, and more particularly to FIGS. 15 and 21 in combination with FIG. 18, a shoe plate 456 is attached to the shoe plate support member 440 by suitable fasteners (screws, bolts, or rivets, not shown). The shoe plate 456 has a front portion 458 extending slightly forward beyond the front end 442 of the shoe plate support member 440 and a rear portion 460 resting generally over the intermediate portion 444 of the shoe plate support member 440. The rear portion 460 of the plate 456 has a step 462 which receives the heel H of the shoe S.
Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15, 20, and 21, a collapsible clamping assembly 464 exerts a force along 466 so the heel H of the S is biased against the rear portion 460 and against the step 462 of the shoe plate 456. A first arcuate plate 468 is pivotally attached at one end 470 to the first stand member 406 adjacent the upper end 410 by a fastener 472. The other end 474 of the first arcuate plate 468 is attached to a second arcuate plate 476 at an end 578 by a fastener 480. The other end 482 of the second arcuate plate 476 is pivotally attached to the slotted head 484 of a threaded bolt 486 by a threaded screw 488 (See FIGS. 18-19). A first spring 490 is attached at one end 492 to the eye 454 of the eye bolt 450 and at the other end 494 to an anchor bore 496 in the first arcuate plate 468. A second spring 500 is attached at one end 502 to the eye 454 of the eye bolt 450 and at the other end 504 to an anchor bore 506 in the second arcuate plate 476. The spring 490 and 500 cooperate to exert a force along arrow 508 and also, as discussed above, a force along arrow 466 when the shoe S is in place against the shoe plate 456. Movement of the collapsible clamping assembly 464 to the right along arrow 516 requires extension of both the spring 490 and the 500, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of the collapsible clamping assembly 464 in applying a force directed downward, and slightly toward the front 458 against the step 462 of the shoe plate 456.
Referring now to FIGS. 14-15, 18, and 20-21, an arrow 510 indicates the direction of movement of the threaded bolt 486 and the end 482 of the second arcuate plate 476 to facilitate placement of the threaded bolt 486 in the shoe S for polishing and removal of the threaded bolt 486 from the shoe S after the polishing process is complete.
Referring now to FIGS. 15, 19, and 21, a length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 is attached to the threaded bolt 486. The length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 is positionable on the threaded bolt 486 to extend to the toe T of the shoe S. A locking nut 514 secures the positioned length of reinforced flexible tubing 512. The presently preferred embodiment uses reinforced flexible tubing, but any stiff-but-flexible elastomeric tubing would be equally suitable.
Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the shoe polishing stand 400 is shown in alternative folded positions for storage. Removal of the eye bolt 450 relieves the tension on the springs 490, 500. The ends 420, 426 of the first stand member 406 and the parallel stand members 412, respectively, can be spread apart as shown in FIG. 16. The fist arcuate plate 468, the second arcuate plate 476, and the threaded bolt 486 with the attached length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 collapse against the foot plate 456. In the alternative, the ends 420, 426 of the first stand member 406 and the parallel stand members 412, respectively, can be moved toward each other as shown in FIG. 17. The show plate support member 440 nests against the upper end 410 of the first stand member 406. The arcuate plates 486, 476 collapse as shown and the threaded bolt 486 with attached length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 extends toward the lower end 408 of the first stand member 406.
Referring now to FIG. 21, wing nuts 518 on the support pivot bolt 418, the bolt 448, and the fastener 472, together with the wing nut 452 on the eye bolt 450, enable the user to reconfigure the shoe polishing stand 400 from the use position shown in FIGS. 14-15 and 18-21 to the alternate storage positions shown in FIGS. 16-17 without the need for tools.
Referring now to FIG. 22, another shoe polishing stand 550 consists of a shoe holder assembly 552 and a scissor-style support stand 554. A collapsible clamping assembly 556 holds the shoe S against a shoe plate 558. Whereas the shoe polishing stand 400 shown in FIGS. 14-21 incorporates a length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 positionable on the threaded bolt 486, the shoe polishing stand 550 in FIG. 21 utilizes a toe insert 560 attached to a threaded bolt 562. In all other respects, the shoe polishing stand 550 in FIG. 22 is like the shoe polishing stand 400 in FIGS. 14-21.
Referring now to FIG. 23, another shoe polishing stand 600 consists of a shoe holder assembly 602 and a scissor-style support stand 604. A collapsible clamping assembly 664 holds the shoe S against a shoe plate 656. A first stand member 606 has a lower end 608 and an upper end 610. A second stand member 612 has a lower end 614 and an upper end 616. The first stand member 606 is pivotally attached to the second stand member 612 by a support stand pivot bolt 618 so as to create an upstanding asymmetric “X” when the shoe polishing stand 600 is deployed in the use position shown in FIG. 23. A first transverse foot member 620 having ends 622, 624 is rigidly attached to the lower end 608 of the member 606, and a second transverse foot member 626 having ends 628, 630 is rigidly attached to the lower end 614 of the second stand member 612. End caps 632, preferably rubber or plastic, are attached to the ends 622, 624 of the first transverse foot member 620 and the ends 628, 630 of the second transverse foot member 626.
Still referring to FIG. 23, the scissor-style support stand 604 uses only two members 606, 612, whereas the shoe polishing stand 400 has a member 406 disposed between parallel stand members 412. In all other respects, the shoe polishing stand 600, in FIG. 23 is like the shoe polishing stand 400 shown in FIGS. 14-21.
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that, while the members 406, 606, and 612 are depicted as square tubing, the scissor-like stands 404, 554, 604 can be made from regular tubing, angle iron, and the like. It will be further understood by one skilled in the art that the foot plates 456, 558, 656 can be made from any suitable material, including metal, machined plastic, or molded plastic. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the length of reinforced flexible tubing 512 and the toe insert 560 described are not exhaustive of possible structures for holding the shoe in place for polishing.
It will be further understood by one skilled in the art that the scissor-like stands 404, 554, 604 have shoe plate support members which slope downwardly slightly from back to front. Although not required, slope gives the user a better view of the entire shoe. In addition, the slope results in a force directed toward the middle of the shoe polishing stand during buffing of the shoe, thereby adding to the stability of the shoe polishing stand.
Referring now to FIG. 24, another shoe polishing stand 700 is adapted for holding a boot B having a toe T, a rear portion R, and a heel H. A shoe holder assembly 702 is supported by a scissor-style stand 704. A collapsible clamping assembly 764 exerts a force along 766 so the heel H of the boot B is biased against the rear portion 760, and against the step 762 of the shoe plate 756. An elongated member 768 is pivotally attached at one end 770 to the scissor-style stand member 706 adjacent the upper end 710 by a fastener 772. The other end 774 of the elongated member 768 is attached to an L-shaped member 776 at an end 778 by a fastener 780. The other end 782 of the L-shaped member 775 is pivotally attached to the slotted head 784 of a threaded bolt 786 by a threaded screw 788. A first spring 790 is attached at one end 792 to the eye 754 of the eye bolt 750 and at the other end 794 to an anchor bore 796 in the elongated member 768. A second spring 800 is attached at one end 802 to the eye 754 of the eye bolt 759, and at the other end 804 to an anchor bore 806 in the L-shaped member 776. The springs 790 and 900 cooperate to exert a force along arrow 808 and also a force along arrow 766, when the boot B is in place against the shoe plate 756.
The foregoing specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20080066255
