Shoe display/storage device

Abstract

A rotatable device for displaying and storing shoes or other items of interest is provided. The device includes a base, a vertical column, and a housing that is attached to the column, with openings for suspension of shoes or other items on the outside of the housing. Alternatively, the display device may be in the form of a display board that is attached to a frame.

Claims

1. A rotatable shoe display and storage device, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a vertical column supported on the base; (c) a housing that is rotatably disposed about the column, wherein the housing comprises an outer surface that faces the outside of the housing and an inner surface that faces the inside of the housing; (d) a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing; and (e) a shoe, wherein (i) the shoe comprises a heel of a length sufficient to extend through the openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing, wherein said plurality of openings are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of said heel to extend therethrough, and wherein said shoe is retained on the housing in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation with at least a portion of said heel extending through one of said openings beyond the inner surface into the interior of the housing and at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe is in contact with the outer surface of the housing, or (ii) the shoe does not comprise a heel that extends through the openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing, and wherein the shoe comprises a width, a depth, and a weight, wherein the device comprises a bracket that comprises two first sections that comprise the ends of the brackets, two second sections that are contiguous with the first sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the first sections and comprising lengths suitable for retaining the depth of the shoe, and one third section contiguous at each end with the second sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the second sections and comprising a length suitable for retaining the width of the shoe, wherein said plurality of openings are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate said ends of the first sections of the bracket to extend therethrough, wherein the ends of the first sections of the bracket are inserted into the openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing and are held against the inner wall of the device by downward pressure exerted by the weight of the shoe, thereby anchoring the bracket on the inner surface of the housing, wherein the second and third sections of the bracket protrude from the outer surface of the wall of the housing and are of dimensions sufficient to slidably accommodate said shoe without permitting the shoe to slide completely through the bracket, and wherein said shoe is retained by said bracket on the outer surface of the housing in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheath that is interior to the housing, which comprises a proximal end that is attached to the base and a distal end that extends vertically a first portion of the height of the housing, and which comprises an interior diameter that is greater than the exterior diameter of the column, wherein the column comprises a proximal end that is inserted into the sheath and a distal end that extends vertically a second portion of the height of the housing, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a structural member that is interior to the housing and which comprises an opening through which the column extends, wherein the diameter of the opening in the structural member is smaller than the exterior diameter of the sheath, wherein the structural member rests on top of the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the structural member is attached to the housing at the periphery of the structural member.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the structural member comprises a disc with said opening through which the column extends in the center of the disc.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising grommets around the openings on the inner surface of the housing.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to facilitate rotating the housing by hand.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism comprises knobs or handles on the outer surface of the housing.

8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an extension that is located above the housing, wherein the extension is attached to and rotatably disposed about the column or is slidably inserted into the top of the housing, wherein the extension comprises an outer surface that faces the outside of the extension and an inner surface that faces the inside of the extension, and wherein the extension comprises a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the extension.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the extension comprises a hemispherical or essentially hemispherical cap above the housing.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the openings in the extension are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate an accessory that is adapted to extend therethrough, wherein a portion of the accessory is adapted to extend beyond the inner surface into the interior of the extension.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the openings are spaced apart and of a dimension adapted to accommodate at least a portion of a temple or earpiece of a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses.

12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the extension are spaced apart and of a dimension adapted to accommodate ends of brackets or clips that are adapted to extend therethrough and that are adapted to retain accessories on the outer surface of the extension.

13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising brackets or clips that are adapted to retain accessories comprising hats, jewelry, ties, bowties, scarves, or miniature shoes.

14. A device according to claim 8, wherein the shoe storage device and the extension are separately rotatable.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the extension further comprises a mechanism to facilitate rotating the extension by hand.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the mechanism comprises knobs or handles on the outer surface of the extension.

17. A device according to claim 8, wherein the shoe storage device and the extension are not separately rotatable.

18. A bracket that is adapted to retain a shoe against a device having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a plurality of openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the device, and a shoe that is retained by the bracket, wherein the shoe comprises a width, a depth, and a weight, wherein the bracket consists of two first sections that define the ends of the brackets, two second sections contiguous with the first sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the first sections and comprising lengths suitable for retaining the depth of the shoe, and one third section contiguous at each end with the second sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the second sections and comprising a length suitable for retaining the width of the shoe, wherein the first sections comprise a length suitable for holding the shoe in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation against the outer wall of the device, wherein when the first sections are inserted into the openings in the device, the ends of the first sections are adapted to be held against the inner wall of the device by downward pressure exerted by the weight of the shoe.

19. A display board comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the display board comprises a horizontal or substantially horizontal row of first openings comprising a first diameter and at least one horizontal or substantially horizontal row of second openings comprising a second diameter below or above the row of first openings, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; and further comprising a shoe, wherein (i) the shoe comprises a heel of a length sufficient to extend through the first openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the display board, wherein said first openings are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of said heel to extend therethrough, and wherein said shoe is retained on the housing in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation with at least a portion of said heel extending through one of said openings beyond the inner surface of the display board and at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe in contact with the outer surface of the display board, or (ii) the shoe does not comprise a heel that extends through the openings that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the display board, and wherein the shoe comprises a width, a depth, and a weight, wherein the device comprises a bracket that comprises two first sections that comprise the ends of the brackets, two second sections that are contiguous with the first sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the first sections and comprising lengths suitable for retaining the depth of the shoe, and one third section contiguous at each end with the second sections and at angles of about 90 with respect to the second sections and comprising a length suitable for retaining the width of the shoe, wherein said second openings are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate said ends of the first sections of the bracket to extend therethrough, wherein the ends of the first sections of the bracket are inserted into the second openings and are held against the inner surface of the display board by downward pressure exerted by the weight of the shoe, thereby anchoring the bracket on the inner surface of the display board, wherein the second and third sections of the bracket protrude from the outer surface of the display board and are of dimensions sufficient to slidably accommodate said shoe without permitting the shoe to slide completely through the bracket, and wherein said shoe is retained by said bracket on the outer surface of the display board in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation.

20. A display board according to claim 19, wherein the display board comprises two rows of second openings below or above the row of first openings.

21. A display board according to claim 19, comprising a plurality of rows of first openings, wherein the board comprises an alternating pattern of rows of first openings and two rows of second openings.

22. A display board according to claim 19, wherein the board is mounted on a frame that is adapted to be affixed to a wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings herein are for illustration purposes and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rotatable device described herein and optional accessory cap.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rotatable device described herein with shoes displayed and an optional accessory cap with accessories displayed.

(4) FIG. 3 shows detail of a shoe displayed on a rotatable device or display board with the heel of the shoe extending through an opening in the wall of the device.

(5) FIG. 4 shows detail of a shoe displayed on a rotatable device or display board with the shoe supported by a bracket that extends through openings in the wall of the device.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bracket for securing shoes, accessories, or other items to a rotatable device as described herein.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the base, vertical column, sheath (e.g., tubular member) into which the column is inserted, and interior supporting structure of a rotatable device as described herein. The housing, optional accessory cap, and interior structures through which the column extends and which are attached to the housing are shown in dashed lines. FIG. 6A shows a device with a free-standing base. FIG. 6B shows a base that is attached to the floor or other surface. FIG. 6C shows a cross-section of the device.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pattern of openings in the housing of a rotatable display device as described herein or a display board. FIG. 7A shows an exemplary detail of the patterning of openings. FIG. 7B shows a display board attached to a frame.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a rotatable device as described herein, with detachable accessory cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) A rotatable device for storing and/or displaying shoes or other objects is provided. A device as described herein includes a base, a column supported on the base, and a housing that is attached to and is configured to rotate about the column.

(11) In some embodiments, the column is supported on the base by insertion into a sheath (e.g., a hollow tubular member) into which the column fits that is attached at one end to the base and that extends upwardly. The diameter of the sheath (e.g., hollow tubular member) is larger than the diameter of the column and of a dimension such that the column may be slidably inserted into the interior of the sheath (e.g., tubular member). The bottom of the column may rest on the base or on an interior support portion within the sheath (e.g., tubular member). Optionally, a knob, screw, or the like, may be provided that may be tightened from the outside of the sheath (e.g., hollow tubular member) to secure the column.

(12) In some embodiments, a horizontal or substantially horizontal disc or disc-like structure, through which the vertical column extends, is supported on the top of the sheath (e.g., hollow tubular member) and attached at its periphery to the housing. The disc or disc-like structure contains an opening in the center through which the column extends. One or more additional horizontal or substantially horizontal discs or disc-like structures, through which the vertical column extends, may be spaced at appropriate intervals interior to and attached at their peripheries to the housing, to provide additional support and structural integrity to the device. The interior disc or disc-like structure may be constructed of a solid material such as wood, plastic, or the like, or may contain open interior spaces, for example, spokes that radiate outward from the interior opening through which the column extents toward the periphery of the disc, where they may be attached to the interior of the housing. The disc or disc-like structure may be attached at its outer periphery to the housing with bolts, screws, rivets, or other suitable attachment means.

(13) Openings are provided in the housing to support objects whereby one or more portion(s) of the object extends through one or more opening(s) into the interior of the housing with a portion of the object displayed on the outside of the housing, and/or ends of brackets that extend through openings into the interior of the housing with a center portion of the bracket protruding on the outside of the housing and of a dimension suitable for holding and displaying an object on the outside of the housing.

(14) In some embodiments, the base may be free-standing (i.e., unattached to the floor or other surface), permitting the device to be movable from one location to another. In other embodiments, the base may be stationary and mounted to the floor or other surface.

(15) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a rotatable device 1 as described herein. The device includes a base 2, a column 3, and a housing 4. The housing is configured to rotate about the column in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise fashion. The base, column, and housing may be constructed out of any suitable materials, including but not limited to plastic, metal, wood, laminate, or carbon fiber sheets. Optionally, the housing is constructed out of a material that includes a color, pattern, design, or the like that is visually pleasing and/or desirable to an individual.

(16) The base is generally constructed to be supported on a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface, such as a floor, tabletop, workbench, etc., depending on the size of the unit and application of use. The column is typically vertical or substantially vertical, and is generally at or substantially at a 90 angle with respect to the base and/or with respect to the floor or other horizontal surface. The base may be of any suitable shape (e.g., circular, oval, oblong, triangular, pyramidal, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.), size, width, and weight, to accommodate the weight of the column, housing, interior support structures, and objects that will be suspended on the housing, and suitable for the space in which the device will reside.

(17) The column may be of any suitable shape (e.g., solid or hollow rod, cylinder, polygon cylinder, etc.), size, diameter, and weight, suitable for the size of the unit and objects that will be suspended on the housing. The column may be attached (e.g., with screws, rivets, bolts, etc.) to the base, or the column may fit into a slot or through an opening on the base (e.g., a circular slot or opening into which a cylindrical column fits) and is optionally further attached to the base (e.g. with screws, rivets, bolts, etc.). In some embodiments, the column fits within a vertical or substantially vertical sheath, for example, a hollow tubular member, that is attached at one end to the base. The column may slide into the other end of the sheath (e.g., tubular member) that is not attached to the base. Optionally, a tightening means may be provided to secure the column within the sheath (e.g., tubular member).

(18) The housing is typically in the form of a hollow tube and may be of any suitable shape (e.g., cylinder, polygon cylinder such as triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.), size, diameter, thickness, and weight, to accommodate the weight of objects that will be suspended on the housing and suitable for attachment to and rotation about the column. The housing is attached to one or more interior support structure(s) through which the column extends.

(19) The housing contains a plurality of openings (5 and/or 6) that extend through the wall of the housing.

(20) In some embodiments, openings 5 are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate the heel of a high heeled shoe (e.g., a women's shoe). As shown in FIG. 2, high heeled shoes 10 are suspended on the housing with a portion of the heel extending through opening 5 and the remainder of the shoe suspended on the outside of the housing. As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of heel 14 extends through opening 5, which extends from the outer surface 16 of the housing to the inner surface 15 of the housing, into the interior of the housing. Openings 5 may be of a diameter and shape suitable for a desired dimension of heel 14 to fit through but of a dimension and shape suitable for the remainder of the shoe to remain suspended on the outside of the housing. The openings 5 may be circular or in the shape of an oval or polygon. In some embodiments, the openings include grommets or beveled edges along at least a portion of the interior of the opening. Grommets may be constructed, for example, of rubber or a polymeric material. Openings 5 may be adjusted in shape and size to accommodate objects of interest, for example, tools, household implements, etc.

(21) In some embodiments, openings 6 are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate ends of brackets that extend through the opening and are attached or anchored to the interior of the housing. As shown in FIG. 2, shoes with short or flat heels 11 slide into and are retained by brackets 12 that protrude from the outside of the housing. As shown in FIG. 4, shoe 11 is slidably suspended on the outside of the housing by bracket 12, which may be anchored at its ends to the interior of the housing. Openings 6 may be adjusted in shape and size to accommodate brackets for holding objects of interest, for example, tools, household implements, etc.

(22) In some embodiments, the housing 4 contains a plurality of openings 5. In other embodiments, the housing 4 contains a plurality of openings 6. In other embodiments, the housing 4 contains a plurality of openings 5 and a plurality of openings 6.

(23) An exemplary, but non-limiting, embodiment of a bracket 12 for securing shoes or other objects through openings 6 in a device as described herein is shown in FIG. 5. The bracket includes a width 18 and a depth 19 that are suitable for retaining a object of interest (e.g., a shoe such as a low-heeled shoe or sandal). The bracket also includes a section 17 which anchors the bracket to the interior of the device, as shown in FIG. 4, by downward pressure of the secured object, which holds the end of the bracket against the interior surface of the housing 15. In some embodiments, the angles between sections 17 and 19 and 18 and 19 are right (90) angles, or at substantially right angles. In some embodiments, the brackets are constructed of metal, plastic or wood.

(24) The device may include a mechanism to facilitate rotation of the housing about the column (e.g., the central axis) of the device. Devices for manual rotation may include, for example, knobs, handles, or the like, which may be fastened to the housing, as depicted in FIG. 1 (7). Other mechanisms for rotation of the housing are also contemplated, such as electrical, battery operated, remote control, etc.

(25) In certain embodiments, additional openings 9 are provided, in the housing and/or in an extension 8 above or below the housing, for storage and/or display of additional items of interest 13, such as clothing accessories, for example, glasses (e.g., sunglasses), scarves, hats, ties, bowties, belts, collectable miniature shoes, etc. In one embodiment, the extension may be in the form of a hemispherical or substantially hemispherical cap 8, as shown in FIG. 1, although any shape that is suitable for display and/or storage of items of interest is possible. In one embodiment, the extension may be in the form of a hollow tube of the same or different shape and/or interior dimension as the housing. Optionally, the extension 8 may be removable, as shown in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, extension 8 is removable to provide access to an interior shelf inside the housing 4 for storage of items. In some embodiments, openings 9 are spaced apart and of a dimension for a portion of an item of interest to extend through the opening. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the openings are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of each temple and/or earpiece of a pair of glasses, such as eyeglasses and/or sunglasses. In some embodiments, openings 9 are spaced apart and of a dimension sufficient to accommodate the ends of brackets (e.g., brackets as shown in FIG. 5) or clips to extend through the opening. Ends of brackets or clips are retained in or fastened to the interior of the housing or extension, with an outer portion on the outside of the housing or extension to retain items of interest, for example, clothing accessories, including but not limited to scarves, jewelry, hats, etc. In one embodiment, a lip 27 may be provided on a top edge of the housing, complementary with a bottom edge of the extension, such that the two edges fit together, with the outer surface of the extension flush with the outer surface of the housing, as shown in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, a knob, handle, or other removal means is provided, shown as 20 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, an interior disc or disc-like structure, is provided at the top of the housing and underneath the bottom edge of the extension, for interior storage inside the extension. For example, the extension may be removed to insert or remove item(s) from the interior storage shelf.

(26) An extension may be rotatable in conjunction with the housing or may be separately rotatable. In some embodiments, the extension includes a mechanism for rotation about the column (e.g., the central axis) of the device. Devices for manual rotation may include, for example, knobs, handles, or the like, which may be fastened to the extension. Other mechanisms for rotation of the housing are also contemplated, such as electrical, battery operated, remote control, etc.

(27) FIG. 6 shows a rotatable device as described herein. A sheath (e.g., tubular member) 21 is shown attached at one end to the base 2. The column 3 slides into the sheath 21 through the end that is not attached to the base, and may be tightened with a tightening mechanism 22. The housing 4 is shown in dashed lines, as well as interior disc or disc-like structures 23 and 24 (support structures). The column extends through openings in center of the support structure(s). Support structure 23 may be supported on the top of sheath 21, with the diameter of the opening of the support structure 23 smaller than the exterior diameter of the sheath 21. Alternatively, support structure 23 may be supported on bearings that are attached to or supported on the top of sheath 21. Additionally or alternatively, support structure 23 may be secured at its outer periphery to the housing. Optional support structure(s) 24 may be attached at its (their) periphery(ies) to the housing. Optional support structure 24 may be provided as an interior shelf, which is accessible by removal of the extension (e.g., accessory cap) 8. Support structures may be attached to the housing at their outer peripheries, for example, with screws, glue, bolts, rivets, or other suitable attachment means. Optionally, a lip may be provided on a top edge of the housing, complementary with a bottom edge of the extension, such that the two edges fit together, with the outer surface of the extension flush with the outer surface of the housing. This interface between the extension 8 and the housing 4 is shown at 25 in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6A shows a device with a freestanding base. FIG. 6B shows a base that is anchored to the floor or other surface via bolts, screws, or other attachment means 26. FIG. 6C shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the device, with base 2 of larger diameter than housing 4, and with sheath 21 of larger diameter than column 3.

(28) FIG. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of the patterning of openings 5 and 6 on the housing of a rotatable device as described herein or on a display board, optionally attached to a frame, as shown in FIG. 7B. In some embodiments of any of the devices or display boards described herein, the diameter of openings 5 may be about 1 inch (in.) to about 2 in. or 3 in., for example, about 1 in., about 1.5 in., about 2 in., about 2.5 in., or about 3 in. In some embodiments, the horizontal distance a between the centers of openings 5 may be about 5 in. to about 7 in., for example, about 5 in., about 5.5 in., about 6 in., about 6.5 in., or about 7 in. In some embodiments of any of the devices or display boards described herein, the diameter of openings 6 may be about in. to about in., for example, about in., about in., about in., or about in. In some embodiments, the horizontal distance b between the centers of openings 6 may be about 4 inches to about 6 inches, for example, about 4 in., about 4.5 in., about 5 in., about 5.5 in., or about 6 in. Horizontal distances b and c may be the same or different. In some embodiments, horizontal distance c is about in. to about 1 in. or about in. to about 3 in., for example, about in., about 1 in., about 1.5 in., about 2 in., about 2.5 in., or about 3 in. In some embodiments, the patterning includes a repeating pattern of one row of openings 5 above two rows of openings 6, as shown schematically in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the vertical distance d between the centers of openings 5 may be about 10 in. to about 15 in., for example, about 10 in., about 11 in., about 12 in., about 13 in., about 14 in., or about 15 in. In some embodiments, the vertical distance e between the centers of the openings 6 in adjacent rows may be about 1 in. to about 2 in. or 3 in., for example, about 1 in., about 1.5 in., about 2 in., about 2.5 in., or about 3 in. In some embodiments, the vertical distance f between the centers of openings 5 and the centers of openings 6 in the row directly below openings 5 is about 2 in. to about 4 in., for example, about 2 in., about 2.5 in., about 3 in., about 3.5 in., or about 4 in. In some embodiments, the vertical distance g between the centers of openings 6 and the centers of openings 5 in the adjacent row of openings 5 above is the same or different than distance f. In some embodiments, the vertical distance g is about 6 in. to about 9 in., for example, about 6 in., about 6.5 in., about 7 in., about 7.5 in., about 8 in., about 8.5 in., or about 9 in.

(29) The patterning shown schematically in FIG. 7 and described above may be incorporated into the housing of a rotatable device as described herein or may be incorporated into a display board that may be affixed to a wall or other surface, or mounted on a frame, as shown in FIG. 7B. The patterning may also be varied. For example, the patterning may include alternating rows of openings 5 and 6, one row of openings 5 with two or more rows of openings 6 between openings 5, etc., depending on the types and varieties of objects (e.g., shoes) to be displayed. The distances exemplified in FIG. 7 may also be varied, to accommodate the types and varieties of objects (e.g., shoes) to be displayed.

(30) Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and examples for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is delineated in the appended claims. Therefore, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

(31) All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes and to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference.