Shoe With Concealed, Heel Storage Compartment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wedge type article of footwear having a concealed storage cavity for storing personal items, including but not limited to, small wallets, coin purses, keys, money, credit cards, makeup, pepper spray, small cellular telephones, tampons, etc., for increased personal safety and increased convenience.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wedge heel type footwear having a concealed, integrated storage compartment for personal items contained within the heel portion of said shoe.

II. Discussion of the Prior/Related Art

Whether to provide a hiding place, or to provide a storage compartment for small articles when no other means is available, shoes with hidden compartments have been the subject of previous patents. U.S. Pat. No. 2,478,411, issued to Martin in August 1949, discloses a lady's shoe having a concealed compartment in the heel portion of the shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,991, issued to Neal in May of 1950, discloses a wedge type heeled shoe comprising a compartment with a hinged door on the inside sidewall of the shoe, accessible by key or bolt. U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,609, issued to Bodkin in August of 1959, discloses a storage cavity with a hinged door on the bottom of the heel of a shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,904,901, issued to Goldstein in September of 1959, discloses a shoe having a compartment in the heel, incorporating a novel locking mechanism. The compartment is inserted into the heel against the frictional resistance of tongues, which tongues hold the container in a releasable locked position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,174,234, issued to Weitzner in March of 1965, discloses a shoe heel having a compartment in which a collapsed overshoe is stored. U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,982, issued to Gamm in October of 1985, discloses a wraparound pocket for footwear, comprising a pair of liners, one being an inner liner, the other being an outer liner where one of the liners has a slot provided therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,008, issued to Ruff in July of 1999, discloses an athletic shoe having a drawer slidably received within a compartment in the heel for storing articles within the heel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,920 issued to Morris et al. in March of 2001, discloses athletic footwear having a upwardly raised recess in the sole of the shoe wherein a low friction grind plate with compartment for storing components is formed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,612, issued to Kent in September of 2001, discloses many variations of concealed storage compartments contained within numerous different types of footwear. Said patent discloses storage compartments in the heels and toe portions of lady's footwear, men's boots, men's dress shoes, athletic footwear, and even in-line roller skates, otherwise known popularly as “roller blades” and ice skates. Access to such compartments are depicted as being gained by such means as hinged doors, slidable doors on grooved mechanisms, cap closures, flap openings from the insole of the shoe, entirely removable heels containing a cavity therein, slidable drawers, and cylindrical containers that are either inserted or screwed into the heel portion of the shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,422, issued to Lewis in April of 2006, discloses a relatively small concealed storage cavity formed within the heel portion of a lady's flat type shoe, which is accessible via a flap type mechanism from the insole of the shoe.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. In addition, the present invention is seen to solve many problems that are present in the prior art. Specifically, many of the aforementioned inventions have accessibility problems that the present invention has successfully eliminated. More particularly, the purpose of the present invention is to create a truly concealed, and relatively large storage compartment that is easily assessable while continuing to wear the shoe.

Having access the concealed storage compartment while continuing to wear the shoe has many associated benefits. For instance, the wearer may access the stored items without having to remove the shoe; thereby making access in a public forum more convenient and less obvious to onlookers or would be thieves and criminals. By having access the storage compartment while continuing to wear the shoe, the wearer also reduces the chance of touching, or otherwise being exposed to, the various forms of bacteria or viral substances that may be present on the under portion of the shoe that comes into direct contact with the ground (it should be noted that shoes often come into direct contact with restroom or lavatory floors, which naturally tend to harbor fecal and other infectious matter).

Further, in much of the prior art, the closure portion or door member of the storage compartment comes into direct contact with the ground. With such closure members being in direct contact with the ground, their structural integrity could become compromised by the attendant wear and tear. Also, with a closure portion or door member being in direct contact with the ground, one's personal items could become wet or otherwise soiled.

Moreover, by having a wedge type sole comprising a base several inches high and extending continuously from the toe portion of the upper sole to the heel portion of the upper sole, more space is created in the heel portion of the sole, which allows for a storage space capable of storing larger personal items such as a wallets, coin purses, makeup, keys, pepper spray, tampons, condoms, etc. By having the door member of the concealed storage cavity located on the outer heel portion of the shoe (instead of the interior side wall) said door member is less noticeable and more concealed. In addition, the door hinge of the present invention is integrated into the inside bottom portion of the storage cavity (instead of protruding beyond the door on the side wall of the shoe), thereby remaining less noticeable and more concealed.

Furthermore, the present invention has a hidden, recessed thumb embodiment which assists the wearer in easily opening the storage compartment door member. An elastic band affixed to both the door member and the back wall of the interior storage cavity provides security by ensuring the door member of the compartment remains tightly closed while the shoe is in use. The door member may be secured in position to close the storage cavity by any number of known closure mechanisms, including but not limited to magnet type arrangements, snap type arrangements, mating fabric (such as Velcro®), spring loaded arrangements, selective positional hinge arrangements, etc.

III. Purpose of the Invention

The task of carrying personal items on the person via traditional article-carrying means (such as purses, tote-bags, wallets, clutches, or the like) has several significant drawbacks. One major drawback relates to the inconvenience of carrying items by said traditional article-carrying means. Women, for example, oftentimes find it cumbersome and inconvenient to carry purses, tote-bags, wallets, etc. with them, particularly in crowded social environments such as restaurants, night clubs, bars, sporting events, concerts, etc.

Another major problem with respect to carrying personal items about the person is personal safety. Specifically, crimes involving theft from persons utilizing traditional article-carrying means, supra, have become increasingly common. Criminals oftentimes select their victims after assessing whether the person is likely to have certain valuables in their possession. In the case of women, for example, a purse may be viewed as an ample target for money, credit cards, and other valuable items. Thus, carrying personal items via traditional article-carrying means presents an increased likelihood of being targeted by thieves.

The present invention is directed at eliminating, or at least reducing, the drawbacks associated with the prior art, supra, which attempt to solve the attendant problems associated with storing personal items within the sole portion of an article of footwear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

In one broad aspect of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided having a foot-receiving portion, a sole portion coupled to the foot-receiving portion, and a wedge type heel portion coupled to the sole portion, wherein a concealed storage cavity is formed in at least one of the heel portions and sole portions. In addition to the concealable storage cavity which is formed, a door closure member is then formed and integrated into said cavity by such means, including but not limited to, a hinge, or rail system, etc. Said door member is then secured by such means, including but not limited to, an elastic band, magnet, latch, clasp, etc., as will be more fully described. below.

In yet a further broad aspect of the present invention, a method of carrying personal items is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a concealed storage cavity within at least one of the sole portions and heel portions of a wedge type article of footwear; (b) forming a closure door member that is integrated into said cavity; (c) securing said door member; and (d) storing personal items within said concealed storage cavity.

Still another broad aspect of the present invention involves a method of manufacturing an article of footwear, comprising the step of forming a concealed storage cavity within at least one of the wedge type sole portions and heel portions of the article of footwear with the purpose of containing personal items of the wearer of the footwear therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be better understood in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a women's dress shoe having a concealed storage compartment integrated into its wedge type heel portion of the sole, which is readily assessable by way of means that are more fully described herein;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view and a bottom sectional view of a women's dress shoe having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention, which is in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a top view, front view, and back view of a women's dress shoe having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention, which is in its closed position;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a women's dress shoe having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention, which is in both a closed and open position;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a women's dress shoe having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention, which is shown proceeding from its open position to is closed position, and which shows a personal item (which is a small wallet for illustrative purposes only) being introduced therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a women's boot (which is a variant embodiment of the present invention) having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention, which is in its closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention involves providing a concealed, integrated storage compartment within an article of footwear for holding personal items such as, but not limited to, small wallets, coin purses, keys, money, credit cards, medication, makeup, mints, tampons, perfume, small cellular telephones, small ipods®, event tickets, contraceptives, jewelry, etc. The concealed, integrated storage compartment of the present invention provides a convenient manner of storing personal items without the need for traditional article-carrying means such as purses, wallets, tote-bags, clutches, etc. Moreover, maintaining such personal items in a concealed manner from within the footwear minimizes the chance of attracting criminals who target persons carrying traditional article-carrying means, thereby improving the personal safety of the wearer.

The present invention provides these advantages in virtually any type of footwear which has a sole that can sufficiently house the compartment of the present invention, but more particularly in a wedge type shoe as described herein. It is to be understood that the present invention finds application in a wide variety of types of footwear not shown. Moreover, while described below with reference to a single article of footwear (i.e. right or left foot), it is to be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to both articles of footwear comprising a pair.

FIG. 1 illustrates a women's shoe 100 constructed according to one aspect the present invention. Generally speaking, shoe 100 includes a foot-receiving portion 15, a heel portion 20, a top sole portion 40, and a bottom sole portion 25. In an important aspect of the present invention, the heel portion 20 includes a concealed storage cavity 30 formed therein. A door member 35 is hingedly coupled 45 to the heel portion 20 so as to provide selective access to the interior of the concealed storage cavity 30. The door member 35 may be secured in position to close the concealed storage cavity 30 via any number of commonly known closure mechanisms. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, snap-type arrangements (i.e. providing snaps and corresponding mating portions on the door 35 and the heel 20), mating fabric-type arrangements (i.e. providing mating Velcro® sections on the door 35 and heel 20), spring-loaded arrangements (i.e. providing a spring in conjunction with the hinge for biasing the door 35 into a normally closed position that may be selectively biased open by a user), magnet arrangements (i.e. providing magnets on or within the door 35 and/or heel 20 for magnetically maintaining the door 35 in a closed position) and selectively positional hinge arrangements (i.e. providing a hinge capable of “snapping” the door member 35 between an open position and a closed position), and includes an elastic band type of arrangement by affixing an elastic band 65 to both the door member and the back wall of the interior storage cavity, thereby aiding in maintaining the door member 35 in a secure and closed position. Said closure door member 35 is attached and integrated into the heel portion 20 by such means, including but not limited to, a metal or plastic screw or rivet 50, or any other known fastener.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view and a bottom sectional view of a women's dress shoe 100 having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention. The bottom view shows the bottom sole portion 25 with the ground sole portion 60. In an important aspect of the present invention, the heel portion 20 includes a concealed storage cavity (not shown) formed therein. A door member 35 is hingedly coupled 45 and integrated into the heel portion 20 so as to provide selective access to the interior of the concealed storage cavity (not shown). The door member 35 may be secured in position to close the concealed storage cavity via any number of commonly known closure mechanisms, supra. In addition, the illustration shows a hidden, recessed thumb embodiment 55, which assists the wearer in easily opening the storage compartment door member 35.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view, front view, and back view of a women's dress shoe 100 having a concealed storage cavity (not shown) formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention. The top and front view shows the upper sole portion 40, with the front view showing the bottom sole portion 25 with the ground sole 60. In an important aspect of the present invention, the back view shows the heel portion 20, which includes a concealed storage cavity (not shown) formed therein. A door member 35 is hingedly coupled 45 and integrated into the heel portion 20 so as to provide selective access to the interior of the concealed storage cavity (not shown). The door member 35 may be secured in position to close the concealed storage cavity via any number of commonly known closure mechanisms, supra. In addition, the back view shows a hidden, recessed thumb embodiment 55, which assists the wearer in easily opening the storage compartment door member 35.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a women's dress shoe 100 having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention. This illustration shows the shoe in both its open and closed position. In an important aspect of the present invention, the heel portion includes a concealed storage cavity 30 formed therein. A door member 35 is hingedly coupled 45 and integrated into the heel portion so as to provide selective access to the interior of the concealed storage cavity 30. The door member 35 may be secured in position to close the concealed storage cavity via any number of commonly known closure mechanisms, supra. In addition, the illustration shows an elastic band type of arrangement 65 which is affixed to both the door member 35 and the back wall of the interior storage cavity, thereby aiding in maintaining the door member 35 in a secure and closed position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a women's dress shoe 100 having a concealed storage cavity formed in the wedge type heel portion of the sole according to the present invention. This illustration shows the shoe 100, which is shown proceeding from its open position to is closed position, and which shows a personal item (which is a small wallet 70 for illustrative purposes only) being introduced therein. In an important aspect of the present invention, the heel portion includes a concealed storage cavity 30 formed therein. A door member 35 is hingedly coupled 45 and integrated into the heel portion so as to provide selective access to the interior of the concealed storage cavity 30. The door member 35 may be secured in position to close the concealed storage cavity via any number of commonly known closure mechanisms, supra.

The foregoing embodiments show and describe the present invention as applied to women's dress shoes. It is to be readily understood, however, that the present invention finds application to virtually any conceivable type of footwear which contains enough space for a concealed storage compartment. By way of example only, FIG. 6 illustrate the present invention applied to a women's boot 200.

These embodiments, in conjunction with those shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6, should make it perfectly clear to those skilled in the art that accessing the concealed storage cavity 30 of the present invention may be achieved in any number of different fashions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. By providing a concealed storage cavity within an article of footwear, a wearer can transport and store various personal items without the need for traditional article-carrying means. Women can carry certain personal items (i.e. small wallets, coin purses, money, credit cards, lipstick, keys, tampons, contraceptives, etc.) without the need for a purse, tote-bag, clutch, etc. This reduces the risk of being targeted for theft in that criminals oftentimes select their victims after assessing whether the person is likely to have certain valuables in their possession, which are commonly carried in traditional article-carrying means such as purses or wallets. The present invention also provides advantages in terms of convenience by eliminating the need for such traditional article-carrying means. This is important for women, for example, in crowded social settings where purses and clutches may be cumbersome and prone to becoming lost or stolen. This is also important for men, for example, who find it frustrating to have to hold their significant other's belongings in such settings.

In addition, the present invention is seen to solve many problems that are present in the prior art. Specifically, many of the aforementioned inventions have accessibility problems that the present invention has successfully eliminated. More particularly, the purpose of the present invention is to create a truly concealed, and relatively large storage compartment that is easily assessable while continuing to wear the shoe.

Having access the concealed storage compartment while continuing to wear the shoe has many associated benefits. For instance, the wearer may access the stored items without having to remove the shoe; thereby making access in a public forum more convenient and less obvious to onlookers or would be thieves and criminals. By having access the storage compartment while continuing to wear the shoe, the wearer also reduces the chance of touching, or otherwise being exposed to, the various forms of bacteria or viral substances that may be present on the under portion of the shoe that comes into direct contact with the ground (it should be noted that shoes often come into direct contact with restroom or lavatory floors, which naturally tend to harbor fecal and other infectious matter).

Further, in much of the prior art, the closure portion or door member of the storage compartment comes into direct contact with the ground. With such closure members being in direct contact with the ground, their structural integrity could become compromised by the attendant wear and tear. Also, with a closure portion or door member being in direct contact with the ground, one's personal items could become wet or otherwise soiled.

Moreover, by having a wedge type sole comprising a base several inches high and extending continuously from the toe portion of the upper sole to the heel portion of the upper sole, more space is created in the heel portion of the sole, which allows for a storage space capable of storing larger personal items such as a wallets, coin purses, makeup, keys, pepper spray, tampons, condoms, etc. By having the door member of the concealed storage cavity located on the outer heel portion of the shoe (instead of the interior side wall) said door member is less noticeable and more concealed. In addition, the door hinge of the present invention is integrated into the inside bottom portion of the storage cavity (instead of protruding beyond the door on the side wall of the shoe), thereby remaining less noticeable and more concealed.

Furthermore, the present invention has a hidden, recessed thumb embodiment which assists the wearer in easily opening the storage compartment door member. An elastic band affixed to both the door member and the back wall of the interior storage cavity provides security by ensuring the door member of the compartment remains tightly closed while the shoe is in use. The door member may be secured in position to close the storage cavity by any number of known closure mechanisms, including but not limited to magnet type arrangements, snap type arrangements, mating fabric (such as Velcro®), spring loaded arrangements, selective positional hinge arrangements, etc. the foregoing embodiments meet the objectives of this invention as stated above.

Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described. Thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising: a foot-receiving portion; a sole portion coupled to said foot-receiving portion; a wedge type heel portion coupled to said sole portion, wherein a storage cavity is formed in at least one of said heel portions and said sole portions, said storage cavity having an aperture formed in the back portion of at least one of said heel portion and said sole portion; and a closure door member is affixed and integrated over said aperture such that said storage cavity is concealed to a person viewing said footwear, wherein said closure door member is attached and integrated by such means, including but not limited to, a metal or plastic screw or rivet, or any other known fastener.

2. The article of footwear set forth in claim 1, wherein said storage cavity is formed in said wedge type heel portion of said article of footwear.

3. A method of carrying personal items, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a storage cavity within at least one of a sole portion and a heel portion of a wedge type article of footwear, said storage cavity having an aperture formed in the back of at least one said heel portion and said sole portion;

(b) said storage cavity having a closure mechanism, wherein said closure mechanism includes

(c) disposing personal items within said storage cavity; and

(d) introducing said personal items through said aperture and into said storage cavity such that said personal items are concealed to a person viewing said footwear.

4. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, comprising the step of:

(a) forming a storage cavity within at least one of a sole portion and a heel portion of said wedge type article of footwear, said storage cavity having an aperture formed in the back of at least one said heel portion and said sole portion; and

(b) said storage cavity providing an interior chamber for receiving articles therein, and a closure door mechanism/member, such that said storage cavity is concealed to a person viewing said footwear when said closure member is in place, wherein said closure member is attached by such means, including but not limited to, a metal or plastic screw or rivet, or any other known fastener, wherein said closure door member contains an elastic band affixed to both the door member and the back wall of the interior storage cavity, wherein said door member may be secured in position by any number of known closure mechanisms, including but not limited to magnet type arrangements, snap type arrangements, mating fabric (such as Velcro®), spring loaded arrangements, selective positional hinge arrangements, etc.