Shoecase

Abstract

A generally rectangular case for storing and transporting shoes. The case has at least one shelf member connected to an inner surface of each of the two side walls of the case for supporting at least one pair of shoes. A device is disposed along a predetermined portion of an outer perimeter of the front wall of the case for allowing such case to be opened and closed so that the shoes can be stored in and removed from the case.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/726,478 filed on Oct. 12, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a type of suitcase for storing and transporting predetermined items and, more particularly, the invention relates to a case for storing and transporting multiple pairs of shoes when traveling on business trips or vacations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often times when traveling on business trips or vacations people need to bring multiple pairs of shoes for various reasons. Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, travelers have had few practical choices for storing and transporting these shoes. For example, some people put their shoes in a conventional suitcase along with their clothes. This uses up valuable space in the suitcase that limits the amount of clothes and personal items they can bring. Other people transport their shoes in plastic bags which offers little, if any, protection from the shoes being crushed or marred during travel.

One known device for transporting shoes in the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,693. This device was designed for salesmen to carry and display a considerable number of shoes to shoe stores.

Another prior art device for transporting shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,267 which provides a luggage case with a removably mounted shoe rack for storing and transporting a plurality of pairs of shoes. The generally conventional luggage case includes a rectangular compartment and a hinged cover detachably connected thereto to open and close the compartment.

However, none of the above noted prior art devices disclose a case specifically designed for storing and transporting multiple pairs of shoes according to the present invention described in greater detail below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for storing and transporting shoes. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular case made from a first predetermined material. The case has a predetermined height, a predetermined width and a predetermined depth with two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall. At least one shelf member, made from a second predetermined material, is connected to an inner surface of each of the two side walls for supporting at least one pair of shoes. A means is disposed along a predetermined portion of an outer perimeter of the front wall for allowing the case to be opened and closed so that such shoes can be stored in and removed from the case.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a case that can store and transport multiple pairs of shoes when traveling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case that will store and transport shoes thereby allowing more space in a conventional suitcase for clothes and personal items.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a case that will protect shoes being transported from being crushed or damaged.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a case that transports multiple pairs of shoes which is easy to move.

Even another object of the present invention is to provide a case that stores and transports multiple pairs of shoes that is simple in design.

In addition to the above described objects and advantages of the present invention, various additional objects and advantages of the case for storing and transporting shoes according to the instant invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention showing the front portion of the case in an open position; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus, according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the front portion of the case in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity in understanding the invention, identical components having identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

Now reference is made, more particularly, to the drawing FIGS. 1 and 2. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for at least one of storing and transporting shoes, generally designated 20. The apparatus 10 includes a generally rectangular case, generally designated 30, made from a first predetermined material. The first predetermined material is, preferably, manufactured from a durable, water resistant material selected from the group consisting of plastic, treated cardboard, cloth, vinyl, leather and various combinations thereof.

The case 30 has a predetermined height, a predetermined width and a predetermined depth consisting of two side walls 12, a top wall 14, bottom wall 16, rear wall 18 and front wall 22. The predetermined height of a four shelf case 30 generally may be about 22.5 inches and a six shelf case (not shown) may be about 33.5 inches. The predetermined width of either a four or six shelf case may be about ten inches. The predetermined depth of either a four or six shelf case is sufficient to accommodate various shoe sizes of either men or women.

At least one shelf member 24, made from a second predetermined material, is connected to an inner surface of each of the two side walls 12 for supporting at least one pair of shoes 20. The second predetermined material is, preferably, selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, cloth, vinyl, leather and various combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the shelf member 24 can be connected to each of the two side walls 12 in the case 30 by stitching each outer edge of the shelf member 24 directly to a corresponding one of the side walls 12.

However, the apparatus 10 may include a support means, generally designated 40, fastened to each of the pair of side walls 12 for supporting the shelf member 24 when such shoes 20 are placed thereon. The support means 40 can be one of a generally U-shaped flap member 26 having a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a corresponding hook and loop type fastener of each outer edge of the shelf member 24 or an L-shaped member (not shown).

A means, generally designated 50, is disposed along a predetermined portion of an outer perimeter of the front wall 22 for allowing the case 30 to be opened and closed so that such shoes 20 can be stored in and removed from the case 30. The means 50 for opening and closing the case 30 will, preferably, be a zipper 28.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 10 will include at least one strap member 32, preferably elastic, connected to a predetermined portion of each of the side walls 12 for securing such shoes 20 on the shelf member 24 when the case 30 is being transported. The strap member 32 can be connected to each of the two side walls 12 by stitching, or the strap member 32 may have a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a hook and loop type fastener attached to an inner surface of each of the two side walls 12.

More specifically, the strap member 32 will preferably be connected to each of the side walls 12 between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 18 adjacent a top portion of shelf member 24 for securing such shoes 20 on the shelf member 24 when case 30 is being transported.

The apparatus 10 may have a handle member 34 connected to one of the top wall 14 and a predetermined one of side walls 12 outside of the case 30 for lifting such case 30 to transport the shoes 20.

In another presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 10 will include at least two wheels 36 connected to the bottom wall 16 outside of the case 30 for rolling such case 30 along a predetermined surface. Also included will be a retractable handle member 38 connected adjacent the rear wall 18 and top wall 14 of the case 30 for at least one of tilting, pulling and pushing such case 30 to aid in pulling or pushing the case 30.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 will have at least two block members 42 connected to the outside of bottom wall 16 of case 30 for stabilizing such case 30 when resting on a predetermined surface.

The apparatus 10 will also, preferably, be manufactured in various colors and prints.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above it should be understood that various other embodiments of the invention can be envisioned by those persons skilled in the relevant art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for at least one of storing and transporting shoes, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular case made from a first predetermined material having a predetermined height, a predetermined width and a predetermined depth, said case including two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a front wall;

(b) at least one shelf member made from a second predetermined material and connected to an inner surface of each of said two side walls for supporting at least one pair of shoes; and

(c) a means disposed along a predetermined portion of an outer perimeter of said front wall for allowing said case to be opened and closed so that such shoes can be stored in and removed from said case.

2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined material is manufactured from a durable, water resistant material.

3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, treated cardboard, cloth, vinyl, leather and various combinations thereof.

4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, cloth, vinyl, leather and various combinations thereof.

5. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one shelf member is connected to each of said two side walls in said case by stitching each outer edge of said at least one shelf member directly to a corresponding one of said side walls.

6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a support means fastened to each of said two side walls for supporting said at least one shelf member when such at least one pair of shoes is placed thereon.

7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said support means includes one of a U-shaped flap member having a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a corresponding hook and loop type fastener of each outer edge of said at least one shelf member and an L-shaped member.

8. An apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said support means is said U-shaped flap member having a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a corresponding hook and loop type fastener of each outer edge of said at least one shelf member.

9. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for opening and closing said case includes a zipper.

10. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least one strap member connected to a predetermined portion of each of said side walls for securing such at least one pair of shoes on said at least one shelf member when said case is being transported.

11. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said at least one strap member is connected to each of said two side walls by stitching.

12. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said at least one strap member has a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a hook and loop type fastener attached to each of said two side walls.

13. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least one strap member connected to each of said side walls between said front wall and said rear wall adjacent a top portion of said at least one shelf member for securing such at least one pair of shoes on said at least one shelf member when said case is being transported.

14. An apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said at least one strap member is connected to each of said two side walls by stitching.

15. An apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said at least one strap member has a hook and loop type fastener engageable with a hook and loop type fastener attached to each of said two side walls.

16. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a handle member connected to at least one of said top wall outside of said case and a predetermined one of said side walls for lifting said case to transport such shoes.

17. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least two wheels connected to said bottom wall outside of said case for rolling said case along a predetermined surface.

18. An apparatus, according to claim 17, wherein said apparatus further includes a retractable handle member connected adjacent said rear and top walls of said case for at least one of tilting, pulling and pushing said case.

19. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least two block members connected to said bottom wall outside of said case for stabilizing said case when resting on a predetermined surface.

20. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is manufactured in various colors and prints.