Radial shoe rack

Abstract

A shoe rack has a pair of supports with bottoms arranged to lay in a base plane reference. The bottoms are adapted for resting on a support surface that is co-planar with the base reference plane. The pair of supports are spaced apart and define a shoe storage region therebetween on a support surface. At least a first shoe storage shelf has a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of sides. Each side is coupled to a respective one of the pair supports. The first shoe storage shelf is supported in an elevated position relative to the base reference plane and lays in a first shelf plane that is tilted at an angle relative to the base reference plane with the front edge higher than the rear edge.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/403,414 filed Aug. 14, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure is generally directed to shoe storage racks, and more particularly to a multiple storage surface radial arc shoe storage rack.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Shoe storage racks are known in the art. One type of shoe storage rack includes a plurality of inverted U-shaped receivers adapted for having a shoe slipped over each of the receivers. A rack may include a plurality of bars vertically spaced apart, each bar including a plurality of the inverted U-shaped receivers extending upward therefrom. This type of shoe rack may take up prime real estate within a storage area such as a closet which could be otherwise used to store articles of clothing or other objects.

[0006] Other types of shoe racks include vertically stacked storage compartments with each compartment adapted for inserting shoes therein. The compartments are typically defined by top, bottom, and side walls that form a rectangular cubicle, wherein each cubicle is sized for receiving one or more shoes or pairs of shoes. This type of rack also uses up quite a bit of space, and can create difficulty in a user being able to identify shoes in cubicles that are positioned in the lower compartments, positioned below eye level, of the rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a radial arc shoe storage rack constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the shoe storage rack shown in FIG. 1 and with one of the end supports removed.

[0010] FIG. 3. shows one example of a shoe storage shelf construction wherein the shelf is a solid surface and employs a heel stop.

[0011] FIG. 4 shows an alternative example of a shoe storage rack construction wherein the shelf and side supports are formed as an integral unit.

[0012] FIG. 5 shows an interior side view of one side support constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and having selectable shelf mounting positions.

[0013] FIG. 6 shows an exterior side view of another example of a side support with another type of shelf adjust capability.

[0014] FIG. 7 shows an exterior side view of yet another example of a side support with a pull out sliding shelf construction.

[0015] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another example of a radial arc shoe storage rack constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] What is needed is a shoe storage rack that will fit within typically unused and/or neglected access space within a storage area such as a closet. What is also needed is such a storage rack that can very efficiently utilize this space. The present disclosure describes a shoe storage rack in the form of a fanned-out shelf or radial arc shelf configuration. The disclosed rack provides a plurality of shoe storage surfaces in a relatively small amount of space. The shoes are visible to the user and relatively easily accessible for insertion of shoes for storage and for selection and removal of shoes for use.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a radial arc shoe storage rack 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rack 10 in this example includes a pair of side supports 12a and 12b, each having a bottom 14a and 14b, respectively. The bottoms 14a and 14b define a base reference plane “S” that generally lies co-planar with a support surface “G” when the rack 10 is in use.

[0018] Each of the side supports 12a and 12b in this example includes a corresponding interior facing surface or side 16a and 16b and an exterior facing surface or side 18a and 18b, respectively. The side supports are spaced apart relative to one another and the inner surfaces or sides 16a and 16b are oppositely disposed to face one another.

[0019] In this example, the rack 10 includes a first shoe storage shelf 20 and a second shoe storage shelf 22 extending between and supported by the side supports 12a and 12b. Each of the first and second shelves 20 and 22 is supported in an elevated position above the support surface and defines a shoe storage surface 24 and 26, respectively on their upward facing sides. A shoe storage region 28 is defined on the support surface “G” between the side supports 12a and 12b and generally beneath the first shoe support shelf 20. Though 2 shelves 20 and 22 are shown in this example, more than two shelves or a single shelf can be employed in a radial arc shoe rack if desired.

[0020] In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the shoe storage region 28 and the storage surfaces 24 and 26 are arranged in a radially fanned-out configuration. To illustrate, reference is again had to FIGS. 1 and 2. The support surface “G” is coplanar with the reference base plane “S,” which will typically be a horizontal surface when the rack 10 is in use. The first shoe storage shelf 20, including the storage surface 24, is tilted relative to its longitudinal axis, or in a side to side direction relative to the base reference plane S. The storage surface 24 defines a first shelf plane P1 of the first shelf 20. Similarly, the second shoe storage shelf 22 including its storage surface 26 defines a second shelf plane P2. As seen in the end view of FIG. 2, the plane P1 of the first shelf 20 is tilted at a first angle {acute over (&agr;)} relative to the base reference plane S. The plane P2 of the second shelf 22 is oriented at an angle &bgr; relative to the base reference plane S. The angle &bgr; is greater than the angle {acute over (&agr;)} such that the second shelf 22 is oriented at a steeper angle than the first shelf 20.

[0021] The first shelf 20 has a front edge 30, which would face a user during use of the rack 10, and a rear edge 32. Similarly, the second shelf 22 has a front edge 34 and a rear edge 36. The front edge 30 of the shelf 20 is elevated at a greater height above the support surface than its rear edge 32. Similarly, the front edge 34 of the second shelf is elevated at a greater distance than its rear edge 36. To create the most efficient storage space, the front edges and rear edges of their respective shelves are oriented generally parallel to the support surface and the base reference plane S. As a result, a longitudinal axis of each of the shelves is generally parallel to the axis of the other shelf and to the support surface “G” when the rack is in use. By raising the front edges 30 and 34 of the respective shelves 20 and 22 higher than their respective rear edges 32 and 36, the desired fanned-out effect of the rack 10 is achieved.

[0022] The angles {acute over (&agr;)} and &bgr; can vary considerable and yet fall within the scope in spirit of the present invention. Lesser angles can be utilized if deeper shelves are employed, wherein the deeper shelves will provide more clearance at the front edges of the shelves for shoe insertion and removal. Greater angles can or should be employed where the shoes are taller and/or where the shelves are not very deep. In one example, the angle {acute over (&agr;)} of the first shelf 20 can be between about 20′ and about 30°, and the angle &bgr; of the second shelf 22 can be about 40° to about 60° degrees. However, the angle {acute over (&agr;)} can vary as desired, and in one example can be about 25°. Similarly, the angle &bgr; of the second shelf can vary considerable, and in one example can be about 50°.

[0023] By arranging the first and second shelves 20 and 22 in this manner, a wedged shaped shoe receiving opening 40 is defined between the storage region 28 on the support surface “G” and the first shelf 20. Similarly, a second wedged shaped storage space 42 is defined between the first and second shelves 20 and 22. A third storage space is provided on top of the storage surface 26 of the second shelf 22 in this example. The first shelf 20 should be at a sufficient angle relative to the support surface “G” to permit insertion and removal of shoes within the receiving opening 40 beneath the first shelf 20. Similarly, the angle of the second shelf 22 should be sufficient, relative to the first shelf, to permit insertion and removal of shoes within the receiving opening 42 between the shelves, and also to permit shoes to rest on the shelf support surface 26 without tipping over.

[0024] The spacing of the shelves 20 and 22 relative to each other and relative to the storage region 28 of the support surface “G” can also vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The spacing can be designed according to the needs of a particular rack and may depend upon the type of shoe or footwear for which the rack is intended. Most shoes typically are shorter in height toward the toe end and taller at the heel end. Therefore, most shoes can be inserted, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2, with the toe end of a shoe inserted first. Thus, the wedged shaped openings 40 and 42 can accommodate many different types of footwear.

[0025] The construction of the shelves and supports can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In one example, the side supports 12a and 12b can be separately constructed from the shelves 20 and 22 and attached thereto utilizing conventional fasteners 44 as depicted in FIG. 1. The supports 12a and 12b can be provided with precisely placed openings (as an example, see FIG. 5) extending through each support between the outer surface 18a and 18b and the respective inner surfaces 16a and 16b. The shelves 20 and 22 each include respective end faces, which can include threaded openings (see for example, FIG. 3) for insertion of the fasteners 44 to secure the supports to the shelves.

[0026] As show in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shelves 20 and 22 can be constructed from virtually any suitable material such as metal, wood, plastic, melamine, or as in the disclosed example, a metal wire or plastic molded grid. The grid construction permits a user to see the shoes stored at each level of the radial arc rack 10, even if standing directly above the rack. Solid or grid or perforated plastic shelves can be made from transparent materials so that this same objective can be achieved. Similarly, the end supports 12a and 12b can be made from wood, metal, plastic, melamine, or from wire.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates the shelves 20 and 22 as wire grids. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative shelf 120 of a solid material construction. To fasten the shelf 120 to an end support, an end face 146b is shown having fastener receiver openings 48 therein. A wire grid or plastic shelf can have similar receiver openings or threaded male or female fasteners carried on the end faces and facing outward from the shelf, as desired.

[0028] The side supports 12a and 12b can be made integral with the shelves, such as in a plastic or wire configuration, or can be made separate from the shelves and fastened in any desirable manner, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, sonic or heat welding, adhesives, snap together, or other attachment means can be used. In one example shown in FIG. 4, the shelves can be constructed as modular, identical units 220 and provided with an integral angled supports 212a and 212b depending from the opposite ends of the shelf. When a rack 210 is constructed from these units 220, the supports of the second shelf can be rested on and secure to the tops of the supports of the first shelf. In this manner, a modular construction can be utilized. Such a unit could be a snap-together unit, or the supports can be fastened or nested together in any suitable manner.

[0029] The solid shelf example of FIG. 3 also shows another optional feature that can be used on any shelf construction, even though shown in this solid shelf. The shelf 120 has a stepped top surface 124 wherein a forward portion 60 is at a lower level than a rearward portion 62 of the shelf. A step surface forms a heel stop 64 that is generally normal or perpendicular to the shelf surface and against which a heel of a shoe can bear. In this example, a shoe can be set on the shelf and, regardless of the shelf angle, the shoe will remain in position on the shelf.

[0030] As another option, the shelves can be made adjustable as part of the radial arc shoe racks as disclosed herein. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, each side support, such as a side support 112 can be provided with a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes can be arranged to provide optional shelf installation locations for one or both of the shelves 20 and 22. In this example, two pairs of mounting holes 68 and 70 are provided, each hole positioned as an optional mounting location for the rear edge of either an upper or a lower shelf (not shown). Similarly, two pairs of mounting holes 72 and 74 are provided in the side support 112, each hole positioned as an optional mounting location for the front edge of either an upper or lower shelf. In this example, a user can determine the desired shelf height and a specific shoe rack can be created during assembly by selecting the appropriate mounting holes. Other hole positions and options can be provided, other than those shown and described with respect to FIG. 5. The hole locations can depend on whether adjustable shelf height, tilt angle, forward or rearward positioning, or some combination is desired.

[0031] In a second example illustrated in FIG. 6, the shelf angle can be adjustable. The rear edge installation point can be a free rotation or pivot point 80 provided in the side support. Such a support 312 is shown from its exterior side 318. The pivot point 80 can be either a hole for receiving a pivot pin of a shelf rear edge (not shown), or can be a pivot pin mounted in the support for cooperating with a shelf rear edge pivot structure. A shelf installed utilizing this construction can be pivoted about its rear edge. In this example, the side support 312 includes a curved track 82 recessed into the interior surface or side 316 of the support 312. The shelf can include an outwardly projecting pin 84 that is received in and slides along the track 82. Thus, the shelf can be pivoted about its rear edge. In one example, the shelf can be pivoted between a storage position wherein the pin 84 rests at a lower end 85 of the track 82, and an upward position (see Arrow A) to provide clearance for inserting and/or removing shoes from a storage space beneath that pivotable shelf.

[0032] In another option, though not shown herein, the track 82 and the shelf can be provided with a mechanism for selectively repositioning and/or adjusting the tilt angle of the shelf simply by unlatching, moving, and re-latching the forward edge of the shelf (not shown) in a desired position along the track 82. The track 82 can be provided with a plurality of holes 86 spaced apart along the track. Any one of the holes 86 can be selected to receive the pin 84 on the forward edge of the shelf. The side support 312 can be pivoted outward from the shelf to release the pin, the shelf can be pivoted to its new desired location, and the pin 84 can be inserted into a selected hole at that location. In a higher end example, the pins 84 of the shelf can be biased and movable between extended and retracted positions to make adjustment of the shelf position easy. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, any number of mechanisms and methods can be utilized to perform this type of adjustability. The invention is not intended to be limited to any such mechanism.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more of the shelves can be provided with a slide-out optional feature. For example, a lower shelf 420 and an upper shelf 422 can each be extended forward by grasping a front edge 430 or 434, respectively, and pulling the shelf outward from the rack. In this example, either shelf 420 or 422 can be drawn closer to the user for easier installation and/or removal of footwear. The end faces at the rear edges 432 and 436 of the respective shelves can be provided with a pair of outwardly projecting pins 88. The end faces can also be provided with a pair of projecting pins 89 that are spaced rearward relative to the front edge 430. The pins 88 and 89 on each send of the shelves 420 and 422 can be received in corresponding linear sliding tracks or slots 90 formed either on the interior sides or completely through to the outside surface 418 of the side supports 412.

[0034] In an at rest position, the shelves 420 and 422 can either be manually slid or move by action of gravity toward a rear end 92 of the track 90. The pins 88 will bear against the rear end holding the shelf in place. The tracks can also have a front end 94. In the at rest or in use position, the forward pins 89 are spaced from the front end 94 of the tracks 90. The distance of the spacing is the distance that the shelf can be pulled out, i.e., when the pins 89 hit the front ends 94 of the tracks 90, the shelf will stop moving forward. Either one of the shelves 420 or 422 alone can be provided with a slide out or other adjustability feature as desired. The shelves need not include identical features.

[0035] As an alternative, though not shown in the drawings, the ends of the shelves or some other part of the shelves can be provided with sliding or telescoping tracks permitting the shelves to be pulled out. In another example, each shelf can have a sliding forward portion wherein a rear part of the shelf remains stationary and a forward portion can be pulled outward toward the user. These two shelf portions can be overlaid with one another in such a manner that they are at different levels, similar to the shelves shown in FIG. 4, to define a heel stop thereon.

[0036] Many other alternatives and options can be added to the radial arc shoe rack disclosed herein. For example, each shelf or at least the upper most shelf can be provided with a vertically oriented, upturned toe stop for blocking further forward movement of a shoe supported on the shelf. Further, the side supports can take on many other configurations and constructions, and can even include side storage pockets or shelves on the exterior side if desired.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another radial arc shoe storage rack 510 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rack 510 includes a pair of side supports 512a and 512b and a pair of wire shelves 520 and 522. In this example, the side supports are polygonal rings each having a bottom bar 514 adapted to rest on the support surface “G,” a curved front bar 515, a sloping top bar 517, and a short back bar 519. Each side support in this example also has an open interior 521 within the perimeter ring shape. The open interior 521 can be incorporated to save material cost and weight. The ring supports 512 can be made of wood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The wire shelves are secures to the side supports utilizing fasteners in a manner similar to the rack 10 of FIG. 1.

[0038] Each of the shelves 520 and 522 in this example has a toe stop extending upward along its rear edge. For example, the shelf 520 has a toe stop wall 96 extending upward from the shelf rear edge 532 and generally perpendicular to the shoe support surface of the shelf. The shelf 522 has a similar toe stop wall 96 extending from its rear edge 536. Each shelf also has a wire side bar 98 extending along each side or end of the shelf. The wire side bars 98 are generally parallel to the end surface of their corresponding shelf and are spaced upwardly from the shoe support surface. Each shelf in this example is identical and each side support is also identical, thus making the tooling, manufacture and assembly of the rack 510 relatively simple.

[0039] The angle of the top bar 517 and the height of the back bar 519 can be altered according to the desired rack characteristics. The shelf angle for the shelf 520 and 522 can be designed as desired, according to the top bar angle and/or the back bar height.

[0040] Although certain shoe rack configurations and constructions have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

1. A shoe rack comprising:

a pair of supports having bottoms arranged to lie in a base reference plane and adapted for resting on a support surface co-planar with the base reference plane, the pair of supports being spaced apart to define a shoe storage region therebetween; and

a first shoe storage shelf having a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of sides, each side coupled to a respective one of the pair of supports, the first shoe storage shelf supported in an elevated position relative to the base reference plane and lying in a first shelf plane that is tilted at an angle relative to the base reference plane with the front edge higher than the rear edge.

2. A shoe rack according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base shoe storage surface defined by the support surface portion located between the pair of supports and generally beneath the first shoe storage shelf.

3. A shoe rack according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second shoe storage shelf having a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of sides, each side coupled to a respective one of the pair of supports, the second shoe storage shelf supported in an elevated position relative to the first shelf plane and lying in a second shelf plane that is tilted at an angle relative to the first shelf plane with the front edge higher than the rear edge.

4. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein the first shoe storage shelf is formed of wire.

5. A shoe rack according to claim 3, wherein the first and second shoe storage shelves are formed of wire.

6. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of supports is a generally vertically oriented panel.

7. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of supports is a generally vertically oriented panel supporting both of the first and second shoe supports shelves.

8. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein the pair of supports and the first shoe storage shelf are integral with one another.

9. A shoe rack according to claim 8, further comprising:

a second shoe storage shelf having a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of sides integrally coupled to one of a pair of second supports, the pair of second supports coupled with the pair of supports of the first shoe storage shelf such that the second shoe storage shelf is supported in an elevated position relative to the first shelf plane and lying in a second shelf plane that is tilted at an angle relative to the first shelf plane with the front edge higher than the rear edge.

10. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein each of the supports is a support ring having a bottom bar and one or more perimeter bars together defining an open interior, and wherein the first shoe storage shelf is attached to portions of the ring.

11. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein the first shoe storage shelf includes a toe stop extending upward along the rear edge.

12. A shoe rack according to claim 1, wherein the first shoe storage shelf includes a heel stop extending upward between its front and rear edges and along a length between the sides.

13. A radial arc shoe storage rack comprising:

a shoe storage region defined on a support surface;

a first shoe storage shelf supported above and tilted at a first angle relative to the shoe storage region, the first shoe storage shelf having a front edge and a rear edge each generally parallel to a base reference plane of the shoe storage region, its front edge being elevated above the shoe storage region a greater distance than its rear edge; and

a second shoe storage shelf supported above and tilted at a second angle greater than the first angle relative to the shoe storage region, the second shoe storage shelf having a front edge and a rear edge each generally parallel to the base reference plane, and its front edge being elevated above the shoe storage region a greater distance than its rear edge.

14. A radial arc shoe storage rack according to claim 13, further comprising:

two side supports having bottoms adapted for resting on the support surface, each side support being coupled to one end of each of the first and second shoe storage shelves.

15. A radial arc shoe storage rack according to claim 13, wherein each of the first and second shoe storage shelves is formed as a wire structure.

16. A radial arc shoe storage rack according to claim 14, wherein each of the first and second shoe storage shelves is formed as a wire structure fastened to the two side supports.

17. A radial arc shoe storage rack according to claim 13, wherein each of the first and second shoe storage shelves is formed of molded plastic.

18. A radial arc shoe storage rack according to claim 14, wherein each of the first and second shoe storage shelves and the two side supports are formed of molded plastic.