Shoe storage device and system

Abstract

A storage system is provided including a plurality of adjacent storage apparatuses, each comprising: a plurality of adjoining storage compartments, including front and rear storage compartments, and one or more intermediate storage compartments arranged in between. Each storage compartment may include a removable insert forming an angled bottom compartment surface. Each storage apparatus comprises opposing hook-like elements spanning each longitudinal side of the storage apparatus. The hook-like element on one side of a storage apparatus engages the opposing hook-like element of an adjacent of storage apparatus to connect the two storage apparatuses to each other, and such connections are provided iteratively across the plurality of storage apparatuses. The hook-like element of one storage apparatus is configured to slide through the opposing hook-like element of the adjacent storage apparatus to enable sliding one storage apparatus relative to the adjacent storage apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of adjoining storage compartments, including: a front storage compartment arranged at a front end of the apparatus; a rear storage compartment arranged at a rear end of the apparatus; and one or more intermediate storage compartments arranged in between the front storage compartment and the rear storage compartment; wherein each of the front storage compartment, the rear storage compartment, and the one or more intermediate storage compartments comprises a removable insert forming an angled bottom surface configured to store one or more items at an angle; a plurality of wheels arranged on a base of one or more of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; a removable cover configured to cover an open surface on a top of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; a first hook-like element spanning the plurality of adjoining storage compartments along a first longitudinal side of the apparatus between the front end and the rear end, the first hook-like element having a first orientation; a second hook-like element spanning the plurality of adjoining storage compartments along a second longitudinal side of the apparatus between the front end and the rear end, the second hook-like element having a second orientation that is opposite the first orientation; and an outer face on the front storage compartment comprising a handle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base of each of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments comprises at least two opposing wheels.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more intermediate storage compartments consists of one intermediate storage compartment and the plurality of adjoining storage compartments consists of three adjoining storage compartments.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more intermediate storage compartments consists of two intermediate storage compartments and the plurality of adjoining storage compartments consists of four adjoining storage compartments.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more intermediate storage compartments consists of three intermediate storage compartments and the plurality of adjoining storage compartments consists of five adjoining storage compartments.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more intermediate storage compartments consists of four intermediate storage compartments and the plurality of adjoining storage compartments consists of six adjoining storage compartments.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removable insert comprises: a frictional surface configured to engage items placed thereon; and a handle configured to allow removal of the removable insert.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer face comprises: an upper lip extending above a height of the one or more intermediate storage compartments and the rear storage compartment and comprising a bumper pad on a reverse side of the outer face; and a placard.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first hook-like element and the second hook-like element are C-shaped hooks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the front storage compartment comprises a first pair of holes on opposite longitudinal sides; the rear storage compartment comprises a second pair of holes on opposite longitudinal sides; the removable cover comprises four pegs configured to engage each hole of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes to secure the removable cover to the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; and the removable cover is formed of a cloth or fabric material.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of adjoining storage compartments are made of a semi-transparent or transparent plastic material to enable a user to view contents of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments comprises a length between eleven and fourteen inches.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of divider walls, wherein each of the divider walls separates two adjoining storage compartments and can move longitudinally through the apparatus to adjust a length of a storage compartment.

14. A storage system comprising: a plurality of adjacent storage apparatuses, each storage apparatus comprising: a plurality of adjoining storage compartments, including: a front storage compartment arranged at a front end of the storage apparatus; a rear storage compartment arranged at a rear end of the apparatus; and one or more intermediate storage compartments arranged in between the front storage compartment and the rear storage compartment; wherein each of the front storage compartment, the rear storage compartment, and the one or more intermediate storage compartments comprises a removable insert forming an angled bottom surface configured to store one or more items at an angle; a plurality of wheels arranged on a base of one or more of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; a removable cover configured to cover an open surface on a top of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; a first hook-like element spanning the plurality of adjoining storage compartments along a first longitudinal side of the storage apparatus between the front end and the second end, the first hook-like element having a first orientation; a second hook-like element spanning the plurality of adjoining storage compartments along a second longitudinal side of the storage apparatus between the front end and the rear end, the second hook-like element having a second orientation that is opposite the first orientation; and an outer face on the front storage compartment comprising a handle; wherein the first hook-like element of one of the plurality of storage apparatuses is configured to engage the second hook-like element of an adjacent of the plurality of storage apparatuses to provide a connection between two of the plurality of storage apparatuses to each other, said connection being provided iteratively across the plurality of storage apparatuses connecting adjacent storage apparatuses; and wherein for each adjacent pair of storage apparatuses, the first hook-like element of one storage apparatus of the pair is configured to slide through the second hook-like element of the adjacent storage apparatus in the pair to enable sliding on the plurality of wheels of one storage apparatus in the pair relative to the adjacent storage apparatus.

15. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the storage system comprises four adjacent storage apparatuses.

16. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of storage apparatuses comprises at least one storage apparatus having a length and a number of adjoining storage compartments that differs from at least one other storage apparatus in the storage system.

17. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the first hook-like element and the second hook-like element are C-shaped hooks.

18. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein for each storage apparatus: the front storage compartment comprises a first pair of holes on opposite longitudinal sides; the rear storage compartment comprises a second pair of holes on opposite longitudinal sides; the removable cover comprises four pegs configured to engage each hole of the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes to secure the removable cover to the plurality of adjoining storage compartments; and the removable cover is formed of a cloth or fabric material.

19. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of adjoining storage compartments of the plurality of storage apparatuses comprises a length between eleven and fourteen inches.

20. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of storage apparatuses further comprise a plurality of divider walls, wherein each of the divider walls separates two adjoining storage compartments and can move longitudinally through the apparatus to adjust a length of a storage compartment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a top elevation view perspective of a storage apparatus according to the present application;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of the storage apparatus;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the storage apparatus;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the storage apparatus;

(5) FIG. 5A shows a top view a top view of a storage system to the present application;

(6) FIG. 5B shows a side view of the storage system of FIG. 5A;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a storage system according to the present application; and

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B show a storage system according to the present application being stored under a bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) A storage apparatus 10 and storage system 25 according to the present application will now be described with reference made to FIGS. 1-7B.

(10) A storage apparatus 10 is used in the storage of footwear or other items and is designed to fit and slide underneath the frame of a bed 30. The storage apparatus 10 comprises wheels 14 on its base to accommodate smooth rolling in and out of the storage apparatus 10 from underneath the bed 30. The storage apparatus 10 comprises a series of storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c, each of which is configured to store items such as footwear. One or more pairs of wheels 14 may be provided on the base of each storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. As shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, each storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c may comprise two pairs of wheels 14. Alternatively, the wheels 14 may be placed on fewer than all the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c, such as only on the front and rear storage compartments 11a, 11b, as shown for example in FIG. 5B.

(11) Each of the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c may also comprise a removable insert 12b. The insert 12b can be slightly angled when placed inside the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c, as shown in FIG. 5B for example, and have a frictional surface 13. The angled surface of the insert 12b allows for the easier viewing of the footwear (or other items) within the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. When the insert 12b is removed, the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c can be used to store other items besides footwear. The insert 12b may comprise a segment that is parallel to the wall 12a, as shown in FIG. 3, which allows the insert 12b to sit securely between adjacent walls 12a and the floor of a compartment. The interior of the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c may be provided with one or more stops (not shown) on the compartment floor and/or on the wall(s) 12a, on which an undersurface of the insert 12b may rest, and which prevent the insert 12b from collapsing into the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. The inserts 12b may also be provided with one or more handles 12c, which allow the insert 12b to be removed from the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. As shown for example in FIG. 3, the handle 12c may take the form of a cutout on one side of the insert 12b, which creates an opening that allows the user's hand to be inserted to lift out the insert 12b, or can be a thumb impression or a groove, or a handle that can be raised or lowered from the surface of the insert 12b with a hinge mechanism. The handle 12c can be provided on the outer or the inner surface of the insert 12b. The insert 12b can be made of plastic or other material, similar to the storage apparatus 10. The frictional surface 13 of the insert 12b may be provided with bumps, ridges, grooves, or the like, and/or may be made of a different material providing greater friction, so that the footwear or other items placed on the insert 12b are engaged by the frictional surface 13 and do not slide or move within the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. Variations of the insert 12b can be provided for particular applications, such as an insert 12b including holes to accommodate heels from high heel shoes.

(12) Each storage apparatus 10 is configured with a front storage compartment 11a, a rear storage compartment 11b, and may include intermediate storage compartments 11c arranged in between the front storage compartment 11a and rear compartment 11b. As shown for example in FIG. 6, the number of intermediate storage compartments 11c may vary between storage apparatuses 10, wherein a storage apparatus 10 may be provided with no intermediate storage compartments 11c (only having front and rear storage compartments 11a, 11b) or may be provided with four or more intermediate storage compartments 11c. The length (distance from front to back) of a storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c may be approximately eleven to fourteen inches, and may further be approximately 12.5 inches, but other embodiments may have different dimensions. The number of storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c may vary to provide a storage apparatus 10 of different lengths to fit under beds 30 of different sizes. For example, a storage apparatus 10 having three storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c is dimensioned to fit under the width of a standard twin sized bed (38 inches wide by 75 inches long), and a storage apparatus 10 having six storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c is dimensioned fit under the width of a standard king size bed (76 inches wide by 80 inches long), or under the length of a twin size bed, king size bed, or queen size bed (60 inches wide by 80 inches long). The height of the storage apparatus 10 (including wheels and excluding the lip 17a) is such that it enables the storage apparatus 10 to fit under a bed 30, such as between four and twelve inches.

(13) The dimensions of each storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c may also vary or may be adjustable. The storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c comprise a dividing wall 12a to provide separation between adjacent compartments. In certain embodiments, the dividing wall 12a is preformed as an integral part of the storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c and is fixed in place. In other embodiments, the dividing wall 12a is configured to be removable and/or moveable within the storage apparatus 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the dividing walls 12a may comprise hooks, pins, or other elements along the top that allow the wall 12a to slide forward or backward through the storage apparatus 10 to change the size of a storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c. Additional mechanisms may be provided on the dividing wall 12a configured to engage the storage apparatus 10 and lock the dividing wall 12a in a position once adjusted.

(14) The front storage compartment 11a is provided with an outer face 16. The outer face 16 has an extended upper lip 17a arranged at the top of the outer face 16, which extends above the other storage compartments 11b, 11c of the storage apparatus 10. The upper lip 17a is configured to prevent the storage apparatus 10 from being pushed too far underneath the bed 30, as the upper lip 17a would abut the bed 30 when the storage apparatus 10 is pushed under a bed, as shown for example in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The reverse side of the upper lip 17a (i.e., the side that faces the bed 30) can be provided with a bumper pad 17b made of rubber, silicone, or other soft or padded material, to prevent any damage to the bed 30 when the upper lip 17a contacts the bed 30. The outer face 16 of the storage apparatus 10 also comprises a handle 15, which may be built into the mold of the storage apparatus 10 or affixed to the outer face 16. The outer face 16 also comprises a placard 18, which may be below or above the handle 15, for writing in the contents of the storage apparatus 10 or for receiving an external writing identifying the contents of the storage apparatus 10. In other variations of the storage apparatus 10, the upper lip 17a may be omitted, and the rear storage compartment 11b may comprise a similar outer face 16 with a handle 15 and placard 18, which would allow the storage apparatus 10 to be pulled out from either side of the bed 30.

(15) The storage apparatus 10 may further comprise a cover 20 that is configured to cover the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on the contents of the storage apparatus 10. The cover 20 may be formed of cloth or tarp-like material and is removable from the storage apparatus 10. The cover 20 may also be made of an elastic material. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 for example, the front storage compartment 11a and the rear compartment 11b are provided with tubular elements that form holes 19 at the four corners of the storage apparatus 10 and which are configured to receive pegs 21 that are arranged on the four corners of the cover 20, so as to keep the cover 20 tightly arranged on the storage apparatus 10 and the contents of the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c free from dust and debris. The holes 19 for receiving the pegs 21 of the cover 20 may be provided on the outer surface of the storage compartments 11a, 11b or on the inner surface of the storage compartments 11a, 11b.

(16) Additionally, embodiments of the storage apparatus 10 can be provided with additional holes 19 on one or more intermediate compartments 11c, and the cover 20 may be provided with additional pegs 21 to provide a tighter fit along the entire length of the apparatus 10. Further, the placement of the holes 19 and pegs 21 can be reversed, wherein the cover 20 comprises holes 19 for receiving pegs 21 projecting from the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c. In other embodiments of the storage apparatus 10, alternative means for securing the cover 20 to the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c may be provided. For example, the cover 20 may be retractable, or may be formed into a roll or spiral at the rear of the storage apparatus 10 that may be pulled out towards and engage with the front storage compartment 11a, similar to a retractable window treatment.

(17) Each longitudinal side of the storage apparatus 10 comprises hooks 22, 23 running the length of the storage apparatus 10. The hooks 22, 23, may be C-shaped hooks, and are provided so that two storage apparatuses 10 may be placed next to each other to form a storage system 25, and engage each other in a manner that allows for one storage apparatus 10 to be moved relative to the other storage apparatus 10. Each longitudinal side of the storage apparatus 10 is provided with a hook 22, 23, and the hook 22 on one longitudinal side is provided in the opposite orientation of the hook 23 on the opposite side.

(18) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for example, the left longitudinal side of the storage apparatus 10 is provided with C-hooks 22 that are open at the top, and the right longitudinal side of the storage apparatus 10 is provided with C-hooks 23 that are open at the bottom. In FIG. 5, the storage apparatuses 10 have the reverse arrangement, the left longitudinal side of each storage apparatus 10 is provided with C-hooks 22 that are open at the bottom and the right longitudinal side of the storage apparatus 10 is provided with C-hooks 23 that are open at the top. Either arrangement can be utilized, provided that in a storage system 25 comprising two or more storage apparatuses 10, each storage apparatus 10 comprises the same orientation of hooks 22, 23. Because the left and right longitudinal sides of each storage apparatus 10 have opposite arrangements of the hooks 22, 23, the hooks 23 on the right side of one storage apparatus 10 are configured to engage with the hooks 22 on the left longitudinal side of an adjacent storage apparatus 10, and vice versa. When two or more storage apparatus 10 are placed side to side to form a storage system 25, the hooks 22, 23 serve as an interlocking mechanism to keep the storage apparatuses 10 in place and from individually sliding around, as shown for example in FIG. 5A. One storage apparatus 10 may be pulled out separately from the others in the storage system 25, as shown for example in FIG. 7B, as the hooks 22, 23 on the storage apparatus 10 slide through the hooks 22, 23 on the adjacent storage apparatuses 10. It is noted that the terms “left”, “right”, “top”, and “bottom” are used herein only for clarity of explanation and are relative to the arrangements of the storage apparatus 10 and storage system 25 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

(19) The storage apparatus 10 can be made of any number of materials, including a rigid plastic material. The material of the storage apparatus 10 may also be transparent or semi-transparent to allow a user to visually see the contents of the storage apparatus 10, as shown for example in FIG. 5B.

(20) FIGS. 1-4 show various views of a single storage apparatus 10. In this embodiment of the storage apparatus 10, the apparatus comprises six storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c, including four intermediate storage compartments 11c. Each storage compartment 11a, 11b, 11c includes a removable insert 12b with the frictional surface 13. A handle 15 is provided on the outer face 16 of the front storage compartment 11a to pull the storage compartments 11a, 11b, 11c. A placard 18 is also provided on the outer face 16 of the front storage compartment 11a where the description of the items can be written. The outer face 16 of the front storage compartment 11a comprises the upper lip 17a with a bumper pad 17b arranged on the opposite surface. The front storage compartment 11a and rear storage compartment 11b of the storage apparatus 10 comprise the holes 19 for receiving the pegs 21 of the cover 20. Along the upper edges of the longitudinal sides of the storage apparatus 10, hooks 22 and 23 are provided along the length of the storage apparatus 10.

(21) As shown in FIGS. 5A-7B, multiple storage apparatuses 10 may be connected to each other via their respective longitudinal hooks 22, 23 to form a storage system 25 that can be stored underneath a bed 30. A storage system 25 may comprise any number of storage apparatuses 10, and the size of the storage apparatuses 10 within a storage system 25 may be uniform (FIG. 5A) or can be different (FIG. 6). As described above, each storage apparatus 10 in the storage system 25 has the same orientation of longitudinal hooks 22, 23, such that the adjacent longitudinal sides of two adjacent storage apparatuses can engage each other through their respective longitudinal hooks 22, 23.

(22) In additional embodiments of the storage system 25 and storage apparatus 10, wheel stoppers can be provided to prevent the wheels 14 from being pushed too far. The wheel stoppers can be, for example, an embedded lock in the wheels or grooved cups for slippery floors, to keep entirety of unit in place. The wheel stoppers can be applied to the anchors (the front and rear storage compartments 11a, 11b).

(23) While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the storage system as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.