SHOE STORAGE INSERT FOR SUITCASE AND OTHER SIMILAR TRAVEL CONTAINERS
A shoe storage insert for suitcases and the like containers within which shoes and other such footwear items are packed and protectively stored for travel purposes is provided. The insert may be designed to have the same general shape as the luggage within which it is to be used, and of a size which fits conveniently within the storage cavity of any standard size or custom luggage. The insert may have two panels each containing one or more pockets in which shoes can be placed. The pouches are arranged on alternating levels of each insert panel so that once the insert is closed it can lay flat within any standard suitcase.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,525, filed Dec. 17, 2009, entitled “Shoe Storage Insert for Suitcase,” which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDTraveling is sometimes a necessary part of life and can not be avoided. Most people have difficulty when packing in general and more specifically when packing their footwear. When packing footwear, there is always the worry or risk that the shoes and, especially their soles, could potentially damage or dirty the items of clothing also sharing the luggage compartment. Furthermore, in the case of expensive footwear, a common concern is damage to the shoe itself through pressure or scuffing.
Consequently, there is a need for relatively inexpensive means for transporting shoes packed within suitcases and other similar travel containers. A solution to this problem may be to purchase and use a completely separate bag for the transportation of shoes. When packing light or economically, however, carrying an extra suitcase is not very efficient, and under current airline regulations, will result in increased costs to the traveler.
Existing footwear storage includes merely ornamental design containers that primarily appeal to the aesthetics of the shoe container. Examples of conventional footwear storage include individual compartments for storing a single pair of shoes in a hard case or a soft bag. On the other hand, conventional footwear storage for multiple shoes includes cases with racks for transporting the shoes in luggage. These racks however, take up most of the interior space of the luggage limiting its use just for shoe storage.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a shoe storage insert for the protection and storage of shoes during travel that can hold multiple pairs of shoes and can be used in conjunction with a suitcase without using the entire space within the suitcase.
SUMMARYIn some embodiments, a shoe storage insert for a travel container is provided. The shoe storage insert comprises a first panel having a first plurality of shoe pockets and a second panel having a second plurality of shoe pockets. The first and second plurality of shoe pockets are arranged in alternate rows. The first and second panels are hinged together along a first edge of the first panel and a first edge of the second panel. The first panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the second panel and the second panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the first panel.
In one embodiment, the first and second panels are hinged together such that a second edge of the first panel is securable to a second edge of the second panel and the second edge of the first panel may be securable to the second edge of the second panel by at least one of a zipper, buttons, snaps, Velcro, and a cord.
In another embodiment, the shoe pockets of the first plurality of shoe pockets have different sizes than the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets, and the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets may be sized to hold boots.
In another embodiment, the shoe pockets of the first plurality of shoe pockets have same sizes as the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets.
In another embodiment, the first plurality of shoe pockets comprises shoe pockets of different sizes.
In another embodiment, the second plurality of shoe pockets comprises shoe pockets of different sizes.
In another embodiment, the first plurality of shoe pockets includes at least two rows of shoe pockets.
In another embodiment, the second plurality of shoe pockets includes at least two rows of shoe pockets.
In another embodiment, the first and second plurality of shoe pockets have a closeable cover.
In another embodiment, the first and second plurality of shoe pockets are transparent.
In another embodiment, the first and second panels are constructed of one of nylon, ballistic nylon, Cordura® nylon, and ABS plastic.
In another embodiment, the shoe pockets are constructed of one of nylon, ballistic nylon, and Cordura® fabric.
In alternate embodiments, a shoe storage insert for a travel container is provided where the shoe storage insert comprises a first panel having a first plurality of shoe pockets and a second panel having a second plurality of shoe pockets. The first and second plurality of shoe pockets are arranged in alternate rows. The first and second panels are hinged together along a first edge of the first panel and a first edge of the second panel. The first panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the second panel and the second panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the first panel. The first and second panels are rotatable to form two opposite sides of a two-sided shoe display capable of standing erect.
In another embodiment, the shoe storage insert, further comprises a loop, such that it can be hung for storage when closed or display purposes when opened. In one embodiment, the loop is a handle by which the shoe storage insert can be carried.
In one embodiment, the shoe storage insert comprises a frame to secure the first and second panels.
In another embodiment, the shoe pockets are transparent.
In the following description, specific details are set forth regarding the disclosed subject matter and the environment in which the disclosed subject matter may be utilized, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter. For ease of explanation, the description below will refer to suitcases, but the use of the term is not meant to be limiting in any way and should be understood to encompass various similar types of travel containers.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a suitcase insert made for the storage and transportation of footwear is provided. This insert may comprise two panels made out of material normally used in luggage construction. Non-limiting examples of such materials are ballistic nylon, Cordura® nylon, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics. The two panels may be hinged together to form a book-like insert that may be closed and secured, for example, through means of a zipper, snaps, Velcro, a cord, or any other fastener that one of skill in the art would understand is capable of closing and securing the insert. The insert may be of different sizes and can be placed in standard and non-standard sized suitcases.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the number and sizes of the shoe pockets in the disclosed insert is just for illustration purposes. It is to be understood that the number and sizes of pockets in the insert may vary.
Claims
1. A shoe storage insert for a travel container comprising:
- a first panel having a first plurality of shoe pockets; and
- a second panel having a second plurality of shoe pockets;
- wherein the first and second panels are hinged together along a first edge of the first panel and a first edge of the second panel;
- wherein the first panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the second panel;
- wherein the second panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the first panel;
- wherein the first and second plurality of shoe pockets are arranged in alternate rows.
2. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are hinged together such that a second edge of the first panel is securable to a second edge of the second panel.
3. The shoe storage insert of claim 2, wherein the second edge of the first panel is securable to the second edge of the second panel by at least one of a zipper, buttons, snaps, Velcro, and a cord.
4. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the shoe pockets of the first plurality of shoe pockets have different sizes than the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets.
5. The shoe storage insert of claim 4, wherein the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets are sized to hold boots.
6. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the shoe pockets of the first plurality of shoe pockets have same sizes as the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets.
7. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of shoe pockets comprises shoe pockets of different sizes and/or the second plurality of shoe pockets comprises shoes pockets of different sizes.
8. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of shoe pockets includes at least two rows of shoe pockets and/or the second plurality of shoe pockets includes at least two rows of shoe pockets.
9. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, further comprising a loop such that the storage insert can be hung for storage or display.
10. The shoe storage insert of claim 9, wherein the loop is a handle.
11. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of shoe pockets have a closeable cover.
12. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of shoe pockets are transparent.
13. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are constructed of one of nylon, ballistic nylon, Cordura® nylon, and ABS plastic.
14. The shoe storage insert of claim 1, wherein the shoe pockets are constructed of one of nylon, ballistic nylon, and Cordura® fabric.
15. A shoe storage insert for a travel container comprising:
- a first panel having a first plurality of shoe pockets; and
- a second panel having a second plurality of shoe pockets;
- wherein the first and second panels are hinged together along a first edge of the first panel and a first edge of the second panel;
- wherein the first panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the second panel;
- wherein the second panel can pivotally rotate along the first edge of the first panel;
- wherein the first and second plurality of shoe pockets are arranged in alternate rows;
- wherein the first and second panels are rotatable to form two opposite sides of a two-sided shoe display capable of standing erect.
16. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, further comprising a frame to secure the first and second panels.
17. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, wherein the shoe pockets are transparent.
18. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, wherein the shoe pockets of the first plurality of shoe pockets have different sizes than the shoe pockets of the second plurality of shoe pockets.
19. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of shoe pockets comprises shoe pockets of different sizes.
20. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, wherein the first and second panels are hinged together such that a second edge of the first panel is securable to a second edge of the second panel.
21. The shoe storage insert of claim 15, further comprising a loop such that the storage insert can be hung for storage or display.
22. The shoe storage insert of claim 21, wherein the loop is a handle.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2011
Inventor: Anab Abdill (Brooklyn, NY)
Application Number: 12/952,397