Abstract: The present invention solves some of the problems of the prior art by providing a method, system and apparatus for readily refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser. The method, system and apparatus of the present invention prevents liquid from being dispensed until the dispenser is securely and sealably engaged to the smoking-substitute device, provides independent liquid and gas pathways between the dispenser and reservoir, and substantially alleviates the problems of spillage and/or leakage when dispensing liquid from the dispenser into the reservoir of the smoking-substitute device.

Abstract: The Shoes Stax Pro is an apparatus that allows you to store multiple pairs of shoes in a compact area. It utilizes a series of springs and tongs that allow you to hang shoes and other footwear both on the outside and the inside of the box shaped apparatus. It stores more shoes in the area that is usually taken by one or two pairs of shoes. It can be stacked one atop the other to increase the number of shoes that can be stored.

Abstract: An air vent attachment, such as for drying articles of clothing is provided. The air vent attachment includes a cage member having at least one air conduit extending from an inner surface to an outer surface, the inner surface abutting an exterior surface of an air vent and the outer surface distanced from the exterior surface of the air vent. A securing rod has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end having a securing member and the outer end retaining the cage member. A biasing member is positioned between the cage member and the outer end of the securing rod to bias the cage member toward the inner end of the securing rod.

Abstract: A draining system comprising a single or multi-layer tray designed to store and dry wet objects like winter boots, rain boots or dishes that are placed on the tray. This system provides effective utilization of space to store wet objects. Water from the wet objects placed on the tray goes into waste collection bin which can easily be removed without disrupting the tray set-up to dispense waste water without creating a mess.

Abstract: A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.

Abstract: A folding stand for use with a mobile device comprises a front pair of legs being spaced-apart from one another defining a gap, and having a front foot at the bottom end interconnecting the front pair of legs. A rear leg pivotally coupled to the front pair of legs. The front pair of legs and the rear leg having at least two positions with respect to one another, including: 1) a collapsed retracted position in which the rear leg is folded between the front pair of legs, and with the mobile device removed from the front foot; and 2) an expanded extended position in which the rear leg is unfolded from between the front pair of legs with bottom ends of the front and rear pairs of legs configured to be disposed on a support surface, and configured to receive the mobile device disposed on the front foot and leaning against the front pair of legs.

Abstract: A system for supporting a portable electronic device atop a surface includes a planar back side having a top and a bottom for resting on the surface in use, a front side having an upper edge connected to the top of the planar back side, forming an angle between the planar back side and the front side, and a bottom edge, and a cupped bottom connected to the bottom edge, the cupped bottom extending from the front side opposite the angle, and the cupped bottom for resting on the surface in use. The portable electronic device, in use with the system, rests on the cupped bottom and against the front side. An opening formed in the front side and an opening formed in the back side accommodate a cord of the portable electronic device. The back side includes a retainer for the cord.

Abstract: A portable gear stand capable of storing and organizing protective motorcycle or ATV riding equipment is provided. The portable gear stand contains hinged and extendible elements that allow for the quick and easy folding of the stand into a space-saving portable configuration. The portable gear stand may be used by individuals, families, teams, clubs, groups, associations, companies, or any other plurality of persons that wish to store and organize their protective equipment. The portable gear stand may be capable of storing and organizing protective equipment that includes, but is not limited to, boots, goggles, heavy clothes such as a leather jacket and perhaps leather pants, heavy gloves, helmets, and chest protectors. The portable gear stand may also store food and beverages, and have an attachment area for attaching such accessories as signs, advertising, billboards, and umbrellas.

Abstract: A shelf for boots storage includes a base, a bottom plate, at least one intermediate plate, plural connecting elements, and at least one hanging element. The bottom plate is rotatably disposed on the base. The intermediate plate is located by a side of the bottom plate opposite to the base and has a predetermined distance from the bottom plate. The connecting elements connect the intermediate plate and the bottom plate. A receiving room is defined between the connecting elements, the intermediate plate and the bottom plate. The hanging element extends from a bottom of the intermediate plate toward the receiving room, and a hanging space is defined between the hanging element and the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A shoe rack is provided with a stand; a plurality of elongated rack supports secured to the stand, each of the rack supports including a plurality of mating members on either side; and a plurality of support assemblies each including a lower support, an upper support, a member joining rear ends of the upper support and the lower support, and a corresponding mating member releasably secured to the mating member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for improving triathlon transition area efficiency, comprising a main stand member comprising a base portion and a top portion, the base portion being configured to be supported by a ground surface; and a first shoe coupler fixedly coupled to the top portion of the main stand member and configured to removably couple a first shoe to the main stand member in a manner wherein a pose is established for the first shoe such that a foot of a standing athlete may be urged into the first shoe without the use of one or more hands of the athlete to stabilize the shoe.

Abstract: A display apparatus that has a display screen visible from a back face or a side face of an image forming apparatus is disposed on at least one side face of an image forming apparatus case.

Abstract: A display system utilizing a graphics box as a primary component is disclosed. The graphics box greatly increases the flexibility and aesthetic appeal of displayed graphics cards. The ability to mass produce the graphics box, use multiple graphics boxes to deliver displays of different size and information content and, especially, the ability to reuse the graphics boxes, means that costs of the disclosed display system are relatively low and are achievable without a decrease in the aesthetic appeal of the entire display. Structures for supporting the graphics box to further increase the flexibility of the display system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved brewing stand enables ease of assembly, repeated assembly and disassembly allowing the brewing stand to be transported from one location to another location. The modular assembly enables a plurality of tiers to be positioned in an infinite number of vertical positions between a bottom of a mast and a top of the mast. A plurality of legs are removably attached to the bottom of the mast. Leveling devices are provided to maintain the mast in a vertical position.

Abstract: A shoe storage device adapted for deployment upon a horizontal support surface has upper and lower elongated insert members positioned one above the other in vertical alignment for securing a pair of shoes. The upper shoe is held upside down and both shoes point in opposite directions.

Abstract: A shoe rack includes shoe support subassemblies each comprising a lower support including a rear hook, a sleeve passing through a rear end of the lower support and having a longitudinal first ridged section on an inner wall, an annular first projection extending inward from top of the first ridged section, and an annular second projection extending inward from an intermediate portion of the first ridged section; and an upper support including a hollow cylinder passing through a rear end of the upper support and having a longitudinal second ridged section on an outer surface, an annular first groove on top of the second ridged section, and an annular second groove on an intermediate portion of the second ridged section wherein the cylinder is inserted into the sleeve to be pivotably secured thereto; and a tube comprising slits each adapted to secure to the hook.

Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment. The stand can be assembled to hold the article of footwear in the steam environment by engaging an outer periphery of a vessel.

Abstract: A shoe rack includes subassemblies comprising a lower support including an upward extending sleeve passing through a rear end and having a ridged section on its inner wall, an annular top projection extending inward, and an annular intermediate projection extending inward from the ridged section; and an upper support including a hollow cylinder passing through a rear end and having a ridged structure on its outer surface, an annular top groove on the ridged structure, and an annular intermediate groove on the ridged structure wherein the cylinder is dimensioned to insert into the sleeve to be pivotably frictionally secured thereto by engaging the top groove with the top projection and the intermediate groove with the intermediate projection or engaging the intermediate groove with the top projection; and a pole passing through the sleeve and the cylinder of each subassembly. Each subassembly is adapted to pivot about the pole.

Abstract: A themed footwear storage rack apparatus and related method, comprising: a base; a substantially vertically-oriented central support post attached to and maintained in said vertical orientation by said base; at least one tier of footwear support rods, each said footwear support rod comprising an attachment end thereof at which said support rod is attached to said central support post, and a distal end thereof; each said footwear support rod in each said tier connected at said attachment end thereof to said central support post, at: substantially the same vertical height, within four inches, as all other footwear support rods within said tier; a horizontal plane disposition angle theta which is substantially equal, within ten degrees, between each adjacent pair of support rods within said tier; and a vertical disposition angle phi of between 45 and 85 degrees from upward parallel alignment with said central support post; and a shoe rack theme embodied in a visual appearance of said central support post, well a

Abstract: A storage apparatus and method involves a wheel storage assembly having adjustable pockets for storage therein of an article. The wheel storage assembly generally includes a pocket assembly and opposite wheel assemblies. The pocket assembly may include a core, at least two dividers installed in an offset relationship on the core, the dividers being configured to project substantially radially outwardly from the core to form a free end of each divider, and a clip mounted at the free end of each divider. A base assembly may be employed to rotatably support the wheel storage assembly. A hub of each wheel assembly may be formed with an outer, substantially rounded surface and with a tension belt installed on a base connector of the base assembly and looped around the rounded surface to control the rotational speed of the wheel storage assembly as mounted on the base assembly.

Abstract: A shoe rack includes subassemblies comprising a lower support including an upward extending sleeve passing through a rear end and having a ridged section on its inner wall, an annular top projection extending inward, and an annular intermediate projection extending inward from the ridged section; and an upper support including a hollow cylinder passing through a rear end and having a ridged structure on its outer surface, an annular top groove on the ridged structure, and an annular intermediate groove on the ridged structure wherein the cylinder is dimensioned to insert into the sleeve to be pivotably frictionally secured thereto by engaging the top groove with the top projection and the intermediate groove with the intermediate projection or engaging the intermediate groove with the top projection; and a pole passing through the sleeve and the cylinder of each subassembly. Each subassembly is adapted to pivot about the pole.

Abstract: A shoe rack includes a support plate and a partition having one end connected to one end of the support plate. The support plate with the connected partition are placed into a shoe cabinet for vertically dividing the space in the shoe cabinet into two layers for piling one pair of shoes on one set of the support plate and the partition for adequately using the space in the shoe cabinet.

Abstract: A display stand displays an object at an elevation above a supporting surface, but is easily disassembled for storage and transport in a compact configuration. The stand includes two upright panels which are engaged crosswise at aligned vertical slots in the panels, and an inclined upper panel that rests on the upper edges of the upright panels and supports the object. One of the upright panels has a tab that projects through the inclined panel. A pin extends through the tab and over the inclined panel to prevent the three panels from separating. The pin may also serve as a stop to prevent the displayed object from sliding off the inclined panel.

Abstract: A shoe rack has two supports respectively and detachably mounted on top of the two elongated bases, a top tube detachably connected to free ends of the two supports via connectors and multiple shoe resting brackets sandwiched between the two supports. Each shoe resting bracket is adjustably connected to the two supports via a fixture which a first cutout, a second cutout, a first indentation defined in a side face defining the first cutout and a second indentation defined in a side face defining the second cutout. When the rods are received in the first cutout and the second cutout, the shoe resting bracket is tilted relative to a horizontal surface and when the two rods are received in the first indentation and the second indentation, the shoe resting bracket is parallel to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A self-standing shoe rack or other type of shoe rack such as a hanging shoe rack which can expand lengthwise due to telescoping shoe support bars. Opposite frame sides may have equal-size sockets that receive identical end tubes. The end tubes fit telescopically in center tubes to allow length adjustment.

Abstract: A rack and tray assembly for supporting foot apparel and collecting and retaining water, snow and debris temporally released therefrom. The rack and tray assembly comprising a folding frame structure having left and right legs and a tray support assembly situated and mounted thereinbetween for supporting at least one tray. Each tray comprising inclined sides extending upwardly from a base and terminating an upper rim collectively forming a reservoir for holding and retaining water, snow, and debris released from foot apparel. The upper rim comprising a ledge having an upper exposed surface for receiving thereon a grate and a lower exposed surface for engaging left and right tray rails integrally made part of and extending downwardly from the tray support assembly, which substantially serve to position each tray above a floor's surface to prevent inadvertent spillage of water, snow and debris contained therein.

Abstract: A method and a system for transporting and cleaning slaughter equipment especially knives (3), gloves and aprons at slaughterhouses, the system comprising knife holding members for receiving and releasable holding one or more knives (3), glove holding members for receiving and releasable holding the gloves, apron holding members for receiving and releasable holding the aprons and a cleaning installation for cleaning the knives and/or gloves and/or aprons and/or the holding members. The holding members may be transported on trolleys, and the knife holding members may comprise a basked (4), wherein the knives are positioned so that the blunt knives have a different orientation than the other knives. The basket (4) may be positioned on the trolley on projections (26?) through the handgrips (13).

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.

Abstract: A wooden shoe rack constructed either as a unit hung on a door or as a self-standing unit. Frame sides connect with support arms at special dado joints. Shoe support bars extend between the joints on the opposite sides of the frame to support shoes. A single mechanical fastener is used at each joint to connect the frame sides, arms and shoe bars together.

Abstract: An in-line skate maintenance rack has a pair of rests for a pair of in-line skates and inclined receptacles for holding wheels removed from the skates. The pair of rests and the inclined receptacles are so positioned that removed wheels are substantially parallel to wheels attached to the pair of skates.

Abstract: A combination rack includes two upright boards, two locating rods detachably connected between the upright boards, a plurality of stretcher rods detachably connected between the upright boards, and a flexible sheet member connected between the first locating rod and the second locating rod and extended over the stretcher rods and adapted to hold things between the upright boards.

Abstract: A movable rack for storing and organizing in-line skates. The rack comprises a frame to support at least one platform containing elongated slots. The frame includes four horizontal support members to support the platform extending between four vertical members. The elongated slots contained within the platform have a suitable width to allow only a wheeled portion of the in-line skate therethrough, thus supporting the in-line skate in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A footwear storage rack for supporting and storing footwear such as Wellington boots. The footwear storage rack includes a base, a tubular support member having a lower portion with a slot therein and further having an upper portion with a retractable catch member therein, a footwear support member being essentially a disk and having a plurality of wedge-shaped slots extending in the circumference and spaced thereabout, and a handle removeably attachable to the upper portion of the tubular support member for carrying and moving the footwear storage rack as desired.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for storing roller-skates of the “inline” type with rollers which are disposed in a roller holder, which is rigid with the boot, the rollers being arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the boot. According to the invention, the device comprises a roller-skate parking surface which is disposed at a spacing above a device stand surface and has at least one roller holder slit.

Abstract: An adjustable foot support provides several user selectable heights to accommodate a wide variety of users. The adjustable foot support includes two ends, with several support surfaces extending from the first end to the second end. The ends are generally triangular in shape. Any of the three sides may be used as a base against a floor, wherein support surfaces at different heights are usable for supporting a user's foot or other object. The support surfaces include flat surfaces which are substantially horizontal when the appropriate corresponding side is used as a base.

Abstract: A storage rack system comprises free standing modular units which are releasably joined and secured together. Each modular unit has identical parallel end frames separated by at least two parallel support tubes fitted into sockets in the front face of the frames. End frames of the units may be joined in a back to back relationship to extend the storage rack system lengthwise end to end to occupy available horizontal space and may also be releasably engaged bottom to top to occupy available vertical space. Holes for joining the frames together are within each of the sockets. The support tubes may be telescoping to assist in occupying the available horizontal space. The modular units may be optionally joined in a vertically offset relationship. The modular units of the storage rack system may be separated and rejoined in another configuration without unloading the items stored on the individual units.

Abstract: A shoe rack includes an elongate shaft that is supported to extend generally vertically relative to the floor. A plurality of generally horizontal shelves are mounted to and disposed about the shaft such that the shaft extends generally centrally through the shelves. A heel elevating support includes a fastener section that is attached directly to the shaft above a respective shelf. A support rail is spaced outwardly from the fastener and extends at least partly about the shaft. An intermediate section interconnects the fastener section and the rail section such that the rail section is supported above the respective shelf. The rail section is engaged by the heel of a shoe stored on a respective shelf to elevate and support the heel of the shoe above the shelf.

Abstract: A shoe hanger for displaying a pair of shoes and prominently indicating information regarding same in retail stores includes a central elongated base member, a hook, two shoe support elements and a label support area. The base member terminates at its upper end with the hook, and at its opposite sides with the two shoe support elements onto which a pair of shoes can be fitted. Each shoe support element is generally U-shaped and lies in the same plane as the base member and includes an inside leg and an outside leg, the outside leg angling upwardly toward the inside leg such that the outside leg and inside leg are spaced apart at their respective bottom ends by a bight portion and have their respective upper ends closely adjacent to each other to act as clips to constrain movement, rotational or otherwise, of the shoes fitted thereon. The label support area, which lies in the same plane as the central elongated body and hook, is integral with and located directly above the hook.

Abstract: A rotatable shoe rack for visible and readily accessible storage of a plurality of clothing accessories such as shoes, ties, scarves and belts, comprising a pair of opposing base plates, having slotted channels which receive flexible belts that define a plurality of sockets. Respective distal ends of elongate support members engage the sockets, whereby the support members extend between the base plates. Each support member includes a plurality of spaced-apart cross-arms to which a shoe receivers are attached. Shoes, being placed on the shoe receivers, are selectively viewed for retrieval, by causing the belts to move along the channels. Arms extend from the support member for receiving ties, scarves, and belts.

Abstract: A rotary shoe rack can include an upright frame mounted on a circular base, and two sets of horizontal support members extending in opposite directions from the frame. Each support member mounts six upwardly projecting shoe supports. There are several horizontal support members in each set, such that the rack has a relatively large shoe capacity. The shoe supports are constructed and arranged so that each shoe on the rack is visible, even when the rack is fully loaded with shoes.

Abstract: A diassembleable drying rack is disclosed. The drying rack is comprised of a generally rectangular shaped, either symmetrical or non-symmetrical, frame assembly. Each cross member of the frame assembly has hook means for receiving gloves, flippers and the like thereon. An extension member, located on top of the frame assembly receives hanger hung wet suits, vests and the like. J-hooks located on the extension member receive masks, hoses and the like.

Abstract: A system for the storage and retrieval of pairs of boots utilizing a plurality of chutes, each having a diamond-shape cross section, with the chutes arranged in a honeycomb fashion, each chute having a carriage assembly disposed along the length of its inner apex. A plurality of hangers are provided, each having a pair of upwardly extending arms on which such pairs of boots can be mounted upside down with the hanger slideably and removably engaged to the carriage assembly. The chutes are disposed at a downward angle so that a pair of boots mounted on a hanger entered from the rear end of a chute will advance by gravity toward the front end of the chute where it can be removed when needed. An optional heating unit can be disposed on the bottom of each chute to speed up the drying time of the boots if such boots are wet.

Abstract: A shoe rack is provided that includes a pair of side frames configured in a substantially rectangular shape. Each side frame includes a plurality of V-shaped support members containing two intersecting support bars. Each support bar within a support member includes a recess at its base to receive one support rod and recesses at the opposite end of each support member to receive a second support bar. The second support bar is moved between the recess pair in upper support members to the recess pair in the lower support members depending upon the alignment of the shoe rack horizontally or vertically. Each side frame includes a plurality of support members to support a plurality of rod pairs for storing a large number of shoes.

Abstract: A shoe rack assembly with a heating device which can heat a number of shoes simultaneously and economically.

Abstract: A display apparatus for supporting an in-line skate. The display apparatus includes a support member and a retainer positioned and dimensioned to engage opposite sides of at least one of the rollers to retain the skate in a substantially upright position. The support member optionally has a slot shaped to receive at least one of the rollers of the skate and a retainer adjacent the slot.

Abstract: A shoe rack comprising shoe storage members rotatable about a shaft are separated from one another by one or more spacers. Each storage member comprises a hub and a plurality of arms with supports which store shoes in a substantially vertical position. The storage members and spacers may be removed at one end of the shaft.

Abstract: A compact, break apart drying rack for utility gloves includes a drain basin (1) for collection of fluid and moisture drips, said drain basin having a pour off flange (2) for disposal of accumulated liquid. Situated on the floor of the drain basin are two pylons (3) which serve as bases for vertical support rods (4 and 5) comprised of two hollow, telescoping tubes with adjustment holes (6) for aligning and clamping into expanding or reducing position, said clamping means completed with spread ring discs (7) which serve two purposes: to connect with and maintain vertical rod position and to spread open utility glove surfaces for drying internally and externally. Positioning the utility gloves on the drying rack permits air drying of utility gloves thereby destroying pathogens present on wet gloves, preserves the quality of the glove material, avoids contamination to the work site by eliminating pooling of fluids on wet gloves deposited on counter tops.

Abstract: A modular shoe rack consisting of a pair of rods extending between, and supported by, a pair of side frames. The side frames are generally rectangular in configuration and are identical in construction. Each side frame includes a groove arrangement in the bottom and a mating tongue arrangement at the top such that plural side frames may be stacked one upon the other in a stable manner. Each side frame also includes a receiving hole at each side thereof sized to receive the rods. As such, the rods may be inserted within the receiving holes of two side frames to define a shoe rack of single unit length. Thereafter, an additional pair of rods may be inserted into the receiving holes on an opposite side of one of the previous side frames, and a third side frame connected to the free ends of these additional rods.

Abstract: A compact shoe drying rack made of three simple parts and which is capable of being easily installed firmly between an ordinary house floor register and the floor. Simple installation requires slightly raising the register and inserting the lower legs of the rack between the floor and the register, letting the register rest upon the legs, thereby holding the rack in place during the time shoes are to be dried. It also has the capability of being easily removed from the installation without the use of tools. For easy storage and shipping it can be folded flat and slipped into an ordinary large, flat mailing envelope without the need to disassemble.

Abstract: An improved extendible rotary shoe rack (10) for mounting between a lower surface (12) and an upper surface (14). The shoe rack includes a pedestal (16) adapted for placement against the lower surface and an upper mount (18) adapted for placement against the upper surface. A lower tube (20) is rotatably mounted to the pedestal and extends upwardly therefrom. An upper tube (22), having an open end (60) sized to receive a portion of the lower tube and to allow slidable movement therebetween, is rotatably mounted to the upper mount and extends downwardly therefrom. A helical compression spring (26) is disposed within the upper tube to secure the lower and upper tubes together so that they rotate in unison, and to provide a telescoping function by urging the upper mount against the upper surface over a range of upper surface-to-lower surface distances. A plurality of substantially equally spaced shoe support members (24), disposed in a plurality of circumferential rows (66), are attached to the lower tube.