US3435475A - Shoe tree - Google Patents

Description

M. BISK SHOE TREE April l, 1969 sheet of 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1968 M A X B l S K Cawg,wup,

ATTORNEYS.

April 1, 1969 M. BlsK sHoE TREE Sheet of2 Filed Feb. 28, 1968 INVENTOR.

By MAx, B-l sk @Qua/14m' United States Patent O 3,435,475 SHOE TREE Max Bisk, 1100 Elbridge St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19111 Filed Feb. 28, 1968, Ser. No. 708,978 Int. Cl. A43d 3/14 U.S. Cl. 12 117.4 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a shoe tree, a hinge integrally formed in the toe member and a heel pivotably secured to said toe member. The hinge comprises a plurality of pairs of posts which depend from the toe member. The posts are aligned transversely along the toe member with each of the posts of each pair being spaced from each other and facing each other. One of said posts of each of said pair having a laterally extending projection which faces the opposite facing post. The heel member is secured to the toe member between the posts by the projections.

This invention relates generally to shoe trees and more particularly to a shore tree having an integrally formed hinge in the toe member for pivotably securing and connecting the heel and toe members of the shoe tree.

In heretofore existing shoe trees, one of the expensive steps in the manufacture thereof, is the connection of the toe member to the heel member. The toe member and the heel member must be pivotably secured to each other yet the pivotable securement therebetween must be strong enough to enable the heel and toe members to be urged against the respective portions of the shoe in a straightened position when the shoe tree is maintaining the shape of the shoe.

Conventional shoe trees typically utilize a stiff wire member which is detachably secured to the heel member and which is pivotably secured between the toe member and the heel member. Conventional hinges for the stiff wire member typically comprise U-shaped brackets which require permanent fasteners for securing the hinge about the wire member. Securement of such hinges is either very time consuming for the worker or extremely expensive to consummate in an automatic operation.

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shoe tree having an integrally formed hinge which enables quick securement of the toe member to the heel member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shoe tree which is inexpensive to manufacture but which is superior to conventional shoe trees.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shoe tree comprised of a material having a deodorizing and fungicide material molded therein.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a shoe tree comp-rising a toe member and a heel member. A hinge is integrally formed in the toe member for pivotably securing the heel member to the toe member and comprises a plurality of pairs of posts depending from the toe member. The posts are aligned transversely along the toe member with each of the posts of each pair being spaced from each other and facing each other. One of the posts of each of the pairs has a laterally extending projection. The projecting extends towards the opposite facing post so that the heel member is secured to the toe member between the posts by the projections.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same -becomes better understood by reference to the following de- 3,435,475 Patented Apr. 1, 1969 ICS tailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe tree embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the shoe tree embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of the toe member of the shoe tree embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5 5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken along the line 6 6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view taken below the toe member of the hinge embodying the invention.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, a shoe tree embodying the invention is shown generally at 20 in FIG. 1.

The shoe tree 20 basically comprises a toe member 22 and a heel member 24. The heel member 24 includes a stiff wire member 26 for pivotably securing the toe member to the heel member. The stiff wire member 26 is secured to the toe member 22 via a hinge 28 which is -integrally formed in the toe member 22.

Toe member 22 is best seen in FIGS. l an-d 4 and is preferably vcomprised of a thermoplastic resin and is formed in the shape of the top surface of the toe of a shoe. The toe member 22 as well as heel member 24 is molded with a deodorizing and fungicidal material mixed in with the thermoplastic resin to help maintain an odorfree shoe.

The toe member is predominantly a hollow shell or top wall 32 and includes an enlarged rib 30 which extends around the periphery of the arcuately formed toe member to stiften the toe member. The top wall 32 of the toe member is thus shaped to conform to the top surface of the toe of a shoe.

A plurality of rectangular openings 34 are formed in the top wall 32 of the toe member and, as will hereinafter be seen, enables the formation of the hinge 28 during the molding thereof. The hinge 28 is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 and basically comprises a plurality of pairs of posts 36, 38 and 40 which are transversely aligned in pairs facing each other. Each of the pairs of posts 36, 38 and 40 depend from the top wall 32 of the toe member 22. One post of each of the pairs of posts includes a laterally extending projection 42, 44 and 46 in pairs 36, 38 and 40, respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, the projections are triangular in shape having their largest projection at the bases thereof which are provided at the position most spaced from the end of the post. The projections are thus tapered towards the end thereof.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the projections are provided alternately on opposite sides of the posts. Thus, projections 42 and 46 are provided on the rear post with respect to the toe facing towards the forward post of the respective pairs 36 and 40. Projection 44 is provided on the forwardmost post of pair 38 and faces the rear post of the pair. By providing the projections on alternate sides of the posts, the ability of the projections to retain wire 26 within the posts is increased.

Depending members 48 and 50 are provided from top wall 32 of the toe member between the pairs of posts 36 through 40. The depending members 48 and S0 act as shoulders to constrict the movement of the wire member 26 within the hinge 28. Additional support is provided to the posts by ribs 52 and ribs 54. Ribs 52 are provided adjacent and integral with the rear posts of pairs of posts 36, 38 and 40. The ribs 52 are triangularly shaped, planar and depend vertically from the top wall 32. Ribs 54 are also triangular, planar, provided integrally with the forward posts of the pairs of posts 36, 38 and 40, and depend vertically from top Wall 32. The ribs are also formed integrally with the toe member 22.

The heel member 24 is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and basically comprises an elongated body member 56, which is comprised of generally U-Shaped cross-section and an enlarged heel portion 58 which is secured tot body member 56 and which acts to engage the heel of the shoe when the shoe tree is placed in a straightened position.

The body member 56 of heel member 24 includes a plurality of openings 60 which are formed in the side walls of the body member and which extend transversely. Openings 60 are provided on each side of the body member 56 and are aligned with each other and act to enable detachable securement with the wire member 26 for varying the size of the shoe tree. Provided at the forwardmost end of the body member 56 is a pair of inwardly extending projections 62 which act as beads to snap the wire member 26 into a straight position when the shoe tree is inserted into a shoe.

On the top surface of the forwardmost end of the body member 56, a U-shaped handle 64 is provided which projects upwardly and which is adapted to enable a finger to be inserted for pulling the shoe tree out of the shoe.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the Wire member 26 is generally U-shaped and has a transversely extending straight web 68 and a pair of bent legs 70. The legs 70 basically comprise a pair of bottom portions 72 which are straight and which extend transversely to the web portion 68. The legs further include an inwardly extending pair of straight portions 74 which are betn inwardly of integral straight portions 72 and which are integral with an elongated pair of straight sections 76 which extend parallel to each other substantially along the length of the body member 56. Portions 72 and 74 are bent upwardly from straight sections 76 so that the web portion 68 is elevated to reach the hinge 28 of the toe member.

At the end of each portion 76 of legs 70 is an outwardly extending portion 78 which extends perpendicular to straight portion 76. The end portions 78 of the legs 70 are insertable in openings 60 along the length of body member 56 and are pivotably secured therein. T o remove the end portions 78 from openings 60, the legs 70 are squeezed together thereby enabling the end portions 78 to be telescoped out of the openings 60.

To vary the size, the legs 70 are squeezed together and the end portions 78 aligned with the desired opening 60 and pressure is then released enabling the posts to enter the desired openings. The openings `60 have aligned therewith semicircular channels 80 on the outer face of the side walls of the elongated body member 56 and similar semicircular channels 82 on the inner wall of the elongated body member. These semicircular channels facilitate alignment of the end portions 78 with the openings 60 to enable quick insertion thereof. The legs are thus squeezed together, the end portions 78 are placed in the channels aligned with the openings 60v and pressure released thereby enabling the channels to guide the end portions into the openings.

To assemble the heel member to the toe member, the Web 68 of the wire member 26 is aligned between the ends of the pairs of posts 36 through 40. As best seen in FIG. 7, the web `68 is moved in the direction of arrow 84 into the center of the pairs of posts. The tapered projections 42, 44 and 46 enable the web 68 to wedge into the posts. The posts are thereby spread slightly so that the web 68 may enter therebetween. As soon as the web 68 passes the projections 42, 44 and 46 of the pairs of posts 36 through 40, the posts snap together and the transversely extending bases of the projections 42, 44 and 46 act as shoulders to prevent removal of the Web 68.

The web 68 of wire member 26 is thereby pivotably connected between the posts, the depending members 48 and 50 and projections 42, 44 and 46 which form the hinge 40. The shoe tree is thus assembled and ready for use in a shoe tree.

The shoe tree 20 is insertable in conventional fashion into a shoe. The heel member 24 and toe member 22 are bent with respect to each other. The body member S6 is pivoted to an angle with respect to the elongated portions 76 of legs 70 of the wire member. The toe member 22 and the heel 58 of heel member 24 are iirst inserted into the shoe. The handle 64 is pressed downwardly and the heel 58 and toe member 22 are urged against the respective portions of the shoe.

When the wire member 26 is substantially parallel to the body member 56 of the heel member 24. The legs 70 of the Wire member coact with projections 62 to snap and maintain the shoe tree 20 in the straight position.

The shoe tree 20 is removed from the shoe by pulling handle 64. The heel member 24 pivots about the ends 78 of wire member 26 and the shoe tree slips easily out of the shoe.

It can therefore be seen that a new and improved shoe tree has been provided. The shoe tree is easily made and comprises only three pieces. The toe member 22 is so constructed that it is formed in a single molding operation and thereby obviates the requirement for further assembling operations to add hinges to receive the wire member 26. The heel member 24 is also formed in a single operation and includes an integral handle 64. The openings 60 are also formed during the holding of the handle. The associated channels and 82 enable the formation of opening 60 and facilitate alignment of the end portions 78 of the wire member 26 with opening 60 prior to insertion thereof. The channels further act as journals to maintain end portions 78 in a transversely extending disposition.

The formation of the hinge in the integral manufacture of the toe member 22 obviates further operations on the toe member 22. Thus, a simple operation of pressing the web 68 of the wire member 26 into the hinge 28 is all that is required to assemble the shoe tree. Moreover, only one heel member is required for a plurality of shapes of toe members. Since toe members vary in width in accordance with the size of the shoe used, the toe member may be snapped into various sizes of toe members 22 which are provided with the integrally formed hinge 28. The openings 34 enable the formation of the projections on the inner portions of the posts. The use of a thermoplastic resin to construct the toe member 22 enables irnpregnation therein of an odor, fungus and germ killing material.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a shoe tree comprising a toe member and a heel member, a hinge, for pivotably securing said heel member to said toe member, said hinge being integrally formed in said toe member and comprising a plurality of pairs of posts depending from said toe member, said posts being aligned transversely along said toe member with each of said posts of each pair being spaced from each other and facing each other, one of said posts of each of said pair having a laterally extending projection, said projections extending toward said opposite facing post so that said heel member is secured to said toe member between said posts and projections.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein only one of said posts of said pairs of posts includes a laterally extending projection, said projections being on alternate ones of said aligned pairs of posts.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said heel member includes a pivotably secured wire member, said wire member including a transversely extending end piece for secnrement within said hinge of said toe, said heel member being secured to said toe member by snapping said transversely extending section of said Wire member into said hinge.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said heel member includes a pair of side walls having a longitudinally extending row of openings on each Wall, said wire member including transversely extending end members for insertion into said openings for varying the size of said shoe tree.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said heel member includes a plurality of transversely extending channels aligned with openings in the walls of said heel member, said channels enabling alignment of said wire member for inserting said wire member into said heel member.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein three pairs of said posts are provided, the end pairs of said posts having the projections on said posts on one side, the central pair of posts having a projection on the post on the other side.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said projections taper towards the ends of said posts so that said shoe tree is easily assembled.

8. The invention `of claim 7, wherein said projections include flat bases which extend transversely to said posts to prevent loosening of the connection between said toe member and said heel member.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said toe member further includes vertically depending ribs which are secured integrally with said posts to provide additional support therefor.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said toe member is comprised of a thermoplastic resin having a deodorizing and fungus killing material impregnated therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

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