Footwear Removal Device

The present invention relates generally to a footwear removal device. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable footwear removal device that is selectively moveable between a work position and a storage position.

Boots have been a popular footwear option throughout the ages. In fact, boots have been discovered dating back over 2,000 years, including terracotta boots from ancient Greece and oxhide boots from the Han dynasty in China. Riding boots in particular have been a popular option for various groups throughout history who relied on horses for transportation and utilitarian purposes.

One type of riding boot, the American-style cowboy boot, was first introduced to the world in the mid-1800s. At that time, the United States was going through an era of westward expansion. Railroad tracks were being laid to ship goods from the western United States to cities on the east coast where demand for western commodities was high. However, at that time, the railroad only reached as far west as Kansas. The American cowboy was needed to drive large herds of cattle from Texas, Colorado, Montana, and other parts of the west to railroad stations where the cattle could be loaded onto railcars for shipment east. The cowboy boot was developed to serve the specific needs of these cowboys, including securing the boot within a stirrup and protecting the wearer's legs from brush and other hazards while on horseback. Thanks to the popularity of western films depicting this era of America history, the cowboy boot remains a popular footwear option.

The cowboy boot typically does not have laces, buckles, or other fasteners to secure a wearer's foot within the boot. Instead, the snug fit of the vamp and other portions of the upper secure the wearer's foot. Because of this snug fit though, removing a pair of cowboy boots can be a difficult task. In attempts to assist with removal, the prior art has devised numerous removal devices, commonly referred to as bootjacks. However, these bootjacks are often bulky and altogether cumbersome such that they are not a viable option when traveling and commonly left at home. A wearer may wish to remove their cowboy boots when away from home, for example, when going through security at an airport.

Accordingly, a need exists for improvements in footwear removal devices. Specifically, a need exists for a portable footwear removal device that is easy to transport and store when traveling.

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect in accordance with the present disclosure is a footwear removal device for removing footwear from a wearer. The footwear removal device may comprise a base member, an engagement member, and a support. The base member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber defined in the bottom surface. The engagement member may have a yoked end configured to receive footwear. The engagement member may be pivotably coupled to the base member adjacent to the distal end. The support may have a coupling end and a ground engagement end. The coupling end of the support may be pivotably coupled to the base member within the chamber. The footwear removal device may be selectively moveable between a work position and a storage position. In the work position the yoked end of the engagement member extends distally from the base member such that a top surface of the engagement member is substantially coplanar to the top surface of the baes member, and the ground engagement end of the support extends out from the chamber of the base member. In the storage position a bottom surface of the engagement member is substantially juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the base member, and the support is contained within the chamber of the base member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, in the work position, the ground engagement end of the support may extend at an angle relative the base member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the base member may include a stop surface positioned within the chamber. The stop surface may be configured to abut the support when the footwear removal device is in the work position.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the stop surface may be integrated into the base member and configured to resist counter-clockwise rotational movement of the support.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the stop member may be angled relative the top surface of the base member in a range of from 30 to 80 degrees. When the footwear removal device is in the work position, the support may be angled relative the top surface of the base member in a range of from 30 to 80 degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the base member may include a thickness defined between the top surface and bottom surface. The engagement member may include a thickness defined between the top surface and bottom surface. The thickness of the base member and the thickness of the engagement member may be substantially similar.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, when the footwear removal device is in the storage position, an overall thickness of the footwear removal device may be in a range of from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, when the footwear removal device is in the storage position, an overall width of the footwear removal device is in a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches and an overall length of the footwear removal device is in a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the yoked end of the engagement member may include first and second elongate members positioned on opposite sides of a saddle. A heel of the footwear may be configured to be received within the saddle.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the first and second elongate members may taper down such that a distal end of each elongate member is narrower than a proximal end of each elongate member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the saddle may be wider between the distal ends of the first and second elongate members than between the proximal ends of the first and second elongate members.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a bottom edge of the saddle may be configured to resist movement of the heel of the footwear relative the footwear removal device.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, when the footwear removal device is in the work position, the footwear removal device may be supported from a ground surface by the ground engagement end of the support and the bottom surface of the base member at the proximal end such that the footwear removal device is angled relative the ground surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the footwear removal device may further comprise one or more hinges coupling the base member to the engagement member and a spring associated with the one or more hinges. The spring may be configured to bias the bottom surface of the engagement member away from the bottom surface of the base member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the footwear removal device may further comprise one or more magnets associated with the base member and/or engagement member. The one or more magnets may be configured to removably couple the bottom surface of the base member to the bottom surface of the engagement member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, when the footwear removal device is in the storage position, an attractive force of the one or more magnets may be greater than the bias of the spring associated with the one or more hinges such that the bottom surface of the base member is removably coupled to the bottom surface of the engagement member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the footwear removal device may further comprise a spring associated with the support. The spring may be configured to bias the ground engagement end of the support away from the chamber of the base member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the footwear removal device may further comprise one or more magnets associated with the base member and/or engagement member. The one or more magnets may be configured to removably couple the bottom surface of the base member to the bottom surface of the engagement member.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, when the footwear removal device is in the storage position, an attractive force of the one or more magnets may be greater than the bias of the spring associated with the support such that the bottom surface of the base member is removably coupled to the bottom surface of the engagement member.

Another aspect in accordance with the present disclosure is a foldable footwear removal device for removing footwear from a wearer. The footwear removal device may include a base member, an engagement member, and a support. The base member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber defined in the bottom surface. The engagement member may have a yoked end configured to receive footwear. The engagement member may be pivotably coupled to the base member adjacent the distal end. The support may be pivotably coupled to the base member within the chamber. The engagement member may be foldable relative the base member.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth therein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

The words “connected,” “attached,” “joined,” “mounted,” “fastened,” and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, wood, composite, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made using any applicable manufacturing method, such as, but not limited toD printing, injection molding, or the like.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or multiple components.

Referring now to the figures, and specifically, an optional embodiment of a footwear removal device is shown and generally referred to as number. The footwear removal devicemay also be referred to herein as a foldable footwear removable device. The footwear removal devicemay be configured to assist a wearer in removing footwear from the wearer's foot. While it is within the spirit and disclosure of the present disclosure for the footwear removal deviceto remove any type of footwear, the footwear removal devicemay be shown inremoving a cowboy boot. One of skill in the art will recognize that aspects of the present disclosure discussed in reference to cowboy bootmay also be applicable to footwear in general.

Referring now to, cowboy bootmay comprise an upperhaving a vampfor receiving the foot of a wearer and a shaftfor receiving the lower leg or calf of the wearer. The vampmay include a toe sectionlocated at a forward end and a counterlocated at a rear end. The wearer's foot may be positioned in the cowboy bootsuch that the heel is received by the counterand the toes are received by the toe section. The uppermay be fixed to a solebelow the vamp. The solemay include a heelgenerally positioned below the counter. The solemay include a spur shelfat an upper end of the heel. The spur shelfmay include a substantially flat surface configured to support a spur associated with the cowboy boot. One of skill in the art will recognize other types of footwear generally have the same or substantially similar elements.

The footwear removal devicemay include a base member, an engagement member, and a support. The base membermay provide strength and support to the footwear removal deviceand interconnect the components thereof, including the engagement memberand support.

The base membermay have a top surface, a bottom surfacelocated opposite the top surface, a proximal end, and a distal endlocated opposite the proximal end. The disclosure herein may reference a proximal directionand a distal direction. The proximal directionmay extend out from the proximal endof the base member. The distal directionmay extend out from the distal endof the base member. Thus circuit components may be referred to as extending in the proximal direction(or proximally) or extending in the distal direction(or distally) relative the base member.

A thicknessof the base membermay be defined between the top surfaceand the bottom surfaceof the base member. The thicknessof the base membermay be in a range of from 0.1 inches to 1 inch, preferably from 0.2 inches to 0.8 inches, and most preferably from 0.3 inches to 0.7 inches. The base membermay be generally rectangular in shape. Generally rectangular may refer to a rectangular outline that may have slight irregularities or non-linearities such as, for example, rounded corners or curved sides. In certain optional embodiments, the proximal endof the base membermay be curved for aesthetic or other purposes. The top surfacemay be substantially flat and solid. The bottom surfacemay be substantially flat but include a plurality of recesses defined therein such as, for example, weight and/or material saving recesses. While the base memberin the exemplary embodiment may be generally rectangular, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure for the base memberto have another shape. As shown in, the base membermay include a widthin a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches, preferably from 2 inches to 6 inches, and most preferably from 3 inches to 5 inches, and a lengthin a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches, preferably from 2 inches to 6 inches, and most preferably from 3 inches to 5 inches.

The base membermay include a chamberdefined in the bottom surface. The chambermay be located at a substantially central location of the bottom surface. The chambermay be configured to house various components of the footwear removal devicesuch as, for example, the support. In certain optional embodiments, the chambermay have a depth of more than half the thicknessof the base member. In other optional embodiments, the chambermay have a depth that is equal to or less than half the thicknessof the base member.

The engagement membermay have a top surface, a bottom surfacelocated opposite the top surface, a yoked end, and a coupling endlocated opposite the yoked end. The engagement membermay be pivotably coupled to the base member. More specifically, the coupling endof the engagement membermay be pivotably coupled to the base memberadjacent the distal endof the base member. A thicknessof the engagement membermay be defined between the top surfaceand the bottom surfaceof the engagement member. In certain optional embodiments, the thicknessof the base membermay be substantially similar to the thicknessof the engagement member. The thicknessof the engagement membermay be in a range of from 0.1 inches to 1 inch, preferably from 0.2 inches to 0.8 inches, and most preferably from 0.3 inches to 0.7 inches. As shown in, the engagement membermay include a widthin a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches, preferably from 2 inches to 6 inches, and most preferably from 3 inches to 5 inches, and a lengthin a range of from 1 inch to 7 inches, preferably from 2 inches to 6 inches, and most preferably from 3 inches to 5 inches.

The yoked endof the engagement membermay include first and second elongate members,. The first and second elongate members,may be positioned on opposite sides of a saddle. The first and second elongate members,may taper down as they extend in the distal directionsuch that a distal endof each elongate member,is narrower in width than a proximal endof each elongate member,. Accordingly, the saddlemay be wider between distal endsof the first and second elongate members,than between the proximal endsof the first and second elongate members,.

The yoked endmay be configured to receive footwear therein. More specifically, the saddleof the yoked endmay be configured to receive the heelof the cowboy boot. A bottom edgeof the saddlemay be configured to resist movement of the heelof the cowboy bootrelative the footwear removal device. The bottom edgemay be configured to engage the spur shelfof the cowboy boot. In certain optional embodiments, the saddleand/or bottom edgemay in include leather, suede, rubber, or the like to prevent scuffing of the cowboy bootand/or to allow the footwear removal deviceto better grip the cowboy boot.

The footwear removal devicemay include one or more hingescoupling the base memberto the engagement member. In certain optional embodiments, the one or more hingesmay include two hinges. A first side of the one or more hingesmay be coupled to the bottom surfaceof the base memberand a second side of the one or more hingesmay be coupled to the bottom surfaceof the engagement member. The one or more hingesmay be coupled to the base memberand engagement membervia screws. However, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure for other types of fasteners to be used.

A spring may be associated with the one or more hinges. The spring may be configured to bias the bottom surfaceof the engagement memberaway from the bottom surfaceof the base member. Thus, the spring may bias the engagement memberto rotate relative the base member.

The supportof the footwear removal devicemay have a coupling endand a ground engagement end. While the term “ground engagement” is used, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure for the ground engagement endto engage or be supported by any surface. The coupling endof the supportmay be pivotably coupled to the base memberwithin the chamber. Specifically, the supportmay include a pair of cylindrical pinsextending out from opposite sides of the supportat the coupling end, as shown in. The pair of cylindrical pinsmay be received within a pair of coupling blocksof the base member. The pair of coupling blocksmay be positioned within the chamberof the base member.

The footwear removal devicemay further comprise a spring associated with the support, and more specifically associated with the pair of cylindrical pins. The spring may be configured to bias the ground engagement endof the supportaway from the chamberof the base member. Thus, the spring may be configured to bias the supportsuch that the ground engagement endof the supportextends out from the chamber. The spring may cause the supportto rotate about the pair of cylindrical pins.

As shown in, the base membermay include a stop surfacepositioned within the chamber. The stop surfacemay be integrated into the base member. In certain optional embodiments, the stop surfacemay be angled relative the top surfaceof the base memberin a range of from 30 to 80 degrees, preferably from 45 to 65 degrees, and most preferably from 50 to 60 degrees.

The stop surfacemay be configured to abut the supportwhen the supportis rotated about the pair of cylindrical pinsrelative the base membersuch that the ground engagement endof the supportextends out from the chamber. The stop surfacemay be configured to resist counter-clockwise rotational movement of the support. Thus, the spring may cause the supportto rotate about the pair of cylindrical pinsuntil a portion of the supportcontacts the stop surface. The stop surfaceand/or supportmay be configured such that when the supportcontacts the stop surface, the supportsits flush against the stop surface. Thus, the supportmay be angled relative the top surfaceof the base memberin a range of from 30 to 80 degrees, preferably from 45 to 65 degrees, and most preferably from 50 to 60 degrees.

While exemplary sizes of the base memberand engagement memberare discussed herein, the footwear removal devicemay be sized based on the footwear desired use. In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the footwear removal devicemay be a smaller size for use with female footwear and a larger size for use with male footwear.

The footwear removal devicemay be selectively moveable between a work position and a storage position. Thus, the footwear removal devicemay be referred to as being foldable. When the footwear removal deviceis in the work position, a wearer may be able to engage the footwear removal deviceand remove footwear from the wearer's foot. The footwear removal deviceis shown in the work position in. When the footwear removal deviceis in the storage position, the footwear removal devicemay be optimized for transportation and storing. When the footwear removal deviceis in the storage position, the footwear removal devicemay have an overall thicknessin a range of from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, preferably from 0.7 inches to 1.3 inches, and most preferably from 0.9 inches to 1.1 inches. The footwear removal deviceis shown in the storage position in.

In the work position, the yoked endof the engagement membermay extend distally from the base membersuch that the top surfaceof the engagement memberis substantially coplanar to the top surfaceof the base member. Substantially coplanar may refer to optional embodiments wherein the top surfaceof the engagement memberis slightly angled relative to the top surfaceof the base member. Thus, the base memberand engagement membermay be substantially aligned and extend from the proximal endof the base memberto the yoked endof the engagement member. The distal endof the base membermay be positioned adjacent to the coupling endof the engagement member. In certain optional embodiments, the distal endof the base membermay not be parallel to the coupling endof the engagement memberdue to the positioning of the one or more hinges.