U.S. patent application number 15/236790 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for shoehorn.
This patent application is currently assigned to FAMICA INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is FAMICA INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD.. Invention is credited to Tsung-Hsiang WANG.
Application Number | 20170099971 15/236790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55509936 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170099971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Tsung-Hsiang |
April 13, 2017 |
SHOEHORN
Abstract
A shoehorn includes a body. The body has a connection portion
and two holding portions respectively connected with two ends of
the connection portion. A shoe-receiving space is defined within
the connection portion and the two holding portions to receive a
heel of a shoe. A guiding opening is formed between two ends of the
two holding portions distal to the connection portion and
communicating with the shoe-receiving space. Two blocking flanges
are formed on and protrude inwardly from two inner side edge
portions of the holding portions to block the heel of the shoe.
Given the shoehorn, the connection portion and the holding portion
and the shoe-receiving space facilitate users to easily take off a
shoe. A grip stick expands the user groups of the shoehorn, and a
shoe-receiving tool increases shoe-wearing effectiveness when
connected with the body to press the body against the ground.
Inventors: |
WANG; Tsung-Hsiang; (NEW
TAIPEI CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FAMICA INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD. |
NEW TAIPEI CITY |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
FAMICA INTERNATIONAL CO.
LTD.
NEW TAIPEI CITY
TW
|
Family ID: |
55509936 |
Appl. No.: |
15/236790 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/80 20130101;
A47G 25/82 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 25/82 20060101
A47G025/82 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2015 |
CN |
201520774694.4 |
Claims
1. A shoehorn, comprising a body, wherein the body includes: a
connection portion having a stick-mounting portion formed thereon;
two holding portions respectively connected with two ends of the
connection portion; a shoe-receiving space defined within the
connection portion and the two holding portions and adapted to
receive a heel of a shoe to be inserted in the body; a guiding
opening formed between two ends of the two holding portions distal
to the connection portion and communicating with the shoe-receiving
space; two blocking flanges formed on and protruding inwardly from
two inner side edge portions of the holding portions facing each
other; and a grip stick having a stick insertion end formed on one
end of the grip stick and engaging the stick-mounting portion of
the connection portion.
2. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grip stick is
curved.
3. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grip stick is
straight.
4. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
shoe-fitting tool, wherein the shoe-fitting tool has a tool
insertion end formed on one end of the shoe-fitting tool; and the
grip stick has a tool-receiving end connected with the tool
insertion end of the shoe-fitting tool.
5. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a
shoe-fitting tool, wherein the shoe-fitting tool has a tool
insertion end formed on one end of the shoe-fitting tool; and the
grip stick has a tool-receiving end connected with the tool
insertion end of the shoe-fitting tool.
6. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a
shoe-fitting tool, wherein the shoe-fitting tool has a tool
insertion end formed on one end of the shoe-fitting tool; and the
grip stick has a tool-receiving end connected with the tool
insertion end of the shoe-fitting tool.
7. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a
shoe-fitting tool, wherein the shoe-fitting tool has a tool
insertion end formed on one end of the shoe-fitting tool; and the
grip stick has a tool-receiving end connected with the tool
insertion end of the shoe-fitting tool.
8. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two blocking
flanges are integrally formed with the respective holding
portions.
9. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body has
multiple reinforced ribs connected with the blocking flanges.
10. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection
portion and the two holding portions are integrally formed.
11. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connection
portion and the two holding portions are U-shaped.
12. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection
portion is semicircular.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a shoehorn with a
connection portion connected between two symmetrical holding
portions integrally formed with the connection portion.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A shoehorn is a tool that lets the user put on a shoe more
easily. Conventional shoehorns are spoon-shaped and have a smooth
surface. Those spoon-shaped shoehorns assist with sliding the heel
of a user's foot into a shoe and are pulled out of the shoe after
the foot is fully inserted in the shoe. Given a shoehorn, users can
conveniently wear the shoes without using fingers to relax the back
of the shoes and increase the hygiene level in shoes wearing.
[0005] However, conventional shoehorns have the following
drawbacks.
[0006] 1. Because of their limited function and simple structure,
the shoehorns are only used as an aid for wearing shoes.
[0007] 2. The shoehorns are not well-suited for all users,
especially when the users who do not feel well or suffer from low
back pain need to bend over or squat down.
[0008] 3. Less efficiency upon wearing shoes arises from
inappropriate design of the shoehorns at the cost of the necessity
of inserting the shoehorns many times before the shoes are fully
put on.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
shoehorn to serve as an aid to user group expansion and higher
efficiency in putting on and taking off a shoe.
[0010] To achieve the foregoing objective, the shoehorn includes a
body. The body includes a connection portion, two holding portions,
a shoe-receiving space, a guiding opening and two blocking
flanges.
[0011] The two holding portions are respectively connected with two
ends of the connection portion.
[0012] The shoe-receiving space is defined within the connection
portion and the two holding portions and is adapted to receive a
heel of a shoe to be inserted in the body.
[0013] The guiding opening is formed between two ends of the two
holding portions distal to the connection portion and communicates
with the shoe-receiving space.
[0014] The two blocking flanges are formed on and protrude inwardly
from two inner side edge portions of the holding portions facing
each other.
[0015] Preferably, the shoehorn further includes a grip stick, the
grip stick has a stick insertion end formed on one end of the grip
stick, and the connection portion has a stick-mounting portion
formed on the connection portion and engaging the stick insertion
end of the grip stick.
[0016] Preferably, the grip stick is curved.
[0017] Preferably, the grip stick is straight.
[0018] Preferably, the shoehorn further includes a shoe-fitting
tool, the shoe-fitting tool has a tool insertion end formed on one
end of the shoe-fitting tool, and the grip stick has a
tool-receiving end connected with the tool insertion end of the
shoe-fitting tool.
[0019] Preferably, the two blocking flanges are integrally formed
with the respective holding portions.
[0020] Preferably, the body has multiple reinforced ribs connected
with the blocking flanges.
[0021] Preferably, the connection portion and the two holding
portions are integrally formed.
[0022] Preferably, the connection portion and the two holding
portions are U-shaped.
[0023] Preferably, the connection portion is semicircular.
[0024] The foregoing shoehorn includes the connection portion, two
holding portions respectively connected with two ends of the
connection portion, and the shoe-receiving space defined within the
connection portion and the holding portions for users to easily put
on or take off a shoe inserted in the body. In collaboration with
the grip stick, the shoehorn can be extensively applied to users of
all ages to be significantly put into practice when the grip stick
is connected with the body of the shoehorn. Additionally, under the
circumstance that the grip stick is inserted in the body of the
shoehorn, the shoe-fitting tool serves as an additional aid for
user's foot to easily slip into a shoe together with the support of
the grip stick and the body connected to each other.
[0025] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
shoehorn in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of the shoehorn in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shoehorn in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
shoehorn in accordance with the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
shoehorn in accordance with the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a
shoehorn in accordance with the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
shoehorn in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Certain definitions are stated beforehand as follows for the
purpose of duly comprehension of the present invention. When a
first element is "fastened" or "mounted" on a second element, it
means that the first element can be placed on the second element
directly or indirectly with another element therebetween. When a
first element is "connected" to a second element, it means that the
first element can be connected to the second element directly or
indirectly with another element therebetween. The terms "vertical",
"horizontal", "left" and "right" and similar terms are exemplified
to facilitate description of embodiments of the present invention
and should not be considered as the only limitation narrowing the
scope of the embodiments. Moreover, the shoes mentioned in the
present invention are specified as regular shoes with a toe cap, a
vamp, a heel and a sole in connection with the toe cap, the vamp
and the heel. A portion of the sole adjacent to the heel is called
waist, which is located under a heel of the foot into the shoe.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a shoehorn
10 in accordance with the present invention includes a body 100.
The body 100 is U-shaped and has a connection portion 110 and two
holding portions 120. The connection portion 110 is semicircular to
match the shape of a shoe inserted in the shoehorn. The two holding
portions 120 serve as to assist users with taking off their shoes
more easily as compared with the way of taking off the shoes with
wearers' hands. The two holding portions 120 are respectively
formed on two ends of the connection portion 110. The two holding
portions 120 may be symmetrically formed on and protrude from two
respective ends of the connection portion 110. The connection
portion 110 is taken as a connection base in connection with the
two holding portions 120 to enhance the overall structural strength
of the body 100.
[0035] The body 100 has a shoe-receiving space 130 defined within
the connection portion 110 and the two holding portions 120 to
receive the heel of a shoe. In other words, the shape and size of
the shoe-receiving space 130 should match those of the heels of the
shoes. To avoid mismatch between the shoe-receiving space 130 and
the heel in terms of the shape and size, the shoe-receiving space
130 can be made and dedicated to shoes of a size corresponding
thereto. Hence, a variety of shoehorns with the shoe-receiving
spaces 130 differing from each other in size to customize the
shoehorns according to users' requirements.
[0036] To accommodate the heel of a shoe in the shoe-receiving
space 130, a guiding opening 140 is formed between two ends of the
two holding portions 120 distal to the connection portion 110 and
communicates with the shoe-receiving space 130 for the heel of the
shoe to be received within the shoe-receiving space 130, thereby
easing the difficulty of inserting the heel of the shoe into the
shoehorn.
[0037] Each of the connection portion 110 and the holding portions
120 has a smooth surface. The smooth surface is formed on an inner
wall of the body 100 facing the shoe-receiving space 130 and may be
treated with a polishing process or made from a polished material,
such as rigid plastic with abrasion resistance. Given the smooth
surface, abrasion between the shoe and the shoehorn when the shoe
is inserted in the shoe-receiving space 130 can be effectively
reduced to allow the shoe to be easily taken off and prevent the
heel and counter of the shoe from being damaged because of the
abrasion.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, to receive the heel of a
shoe within the shoe-receiving space 130 for holding the heel with
the body 100 and easily taking off the shoe, each holding portion
120 has a blocking flange 150. The two blocking flanges 150 are
formed on and protrude respectively and inwardly from two inner
side edge portions of the holding portions 120 facing each other
and serve as blockage to prevent the heel of the shoe from escaping
from the shoehorn. To facilitate production with less manufacturing
processes, the blocking flanges 150 are integrally formed with the
holding portions 120 and the connection portion 110. As far as
flexibility and adaptivity of the blocking flanges 150 is
concerned, each blocking flange 150 can be integrally formed as a
U-shaped rubber strip.
[0039] As the holding portions 120 and the blocking flanges 150
extend from the connection portion 110 in a forward and obliquely
descending direction, after a shoe is inserted in the
shoe-receiving space 130 of the shoehorn, the heel of the shoe is
located under the blocking flanges 150, such that the blocking
flanges 150 limit the upward movement of the heel. When the foot of
the user of the shoe is pulled off, the shoe is prevented from
moving upwards with the foot, allowing the foot to be easily
removed from the shoe for fulfillment of assistance in taking off
shoes.
[0040] To further enhance efficiency in taking off a shoe, a
contact area between the heel of the shoe and the body 100 can be
increased. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection portion 110 has a
fixing wall 160 located inside the shoe-receiving space 130, formed
on and protruding downwards from inner edge portions of the
connection portion 110 and the blocking flanges 150, and integrally
formed with and connected between the blocking flanges 150. A
protective contact portion 180 made from an abrasion-resistant
material, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), may be applied on
a bottom of the fixing wall 160 for protection against scratch and
damage to the shoe upon taking off the shoe. After the heel of a
shoe is inserted in the shoe-receiving space 130, a rear portion of
the heel of the shoe contacts the fixing wall 160. Under the
blocking effect of the fixing wall 160 and the blocking flanges
150, it is hard for the heel to be moved upwards. Accordingly, the
efficiency in taking off a shoe can be enhanced. To facilitate ease
in putting on or taking off shoe, multiple anti-slip projections,
which are made of a rubber material, are cylindrical or prismatic
and are formed on an inner sidewall of the fixing wall 160. After a
shoe is inserted in the shoe-receiving space 130, the anti-slip
projections are deformed and rubbed and friction generated between
the shoe and the anti-slip projections resists against the movement
of the shoe relative to the body 100. After the shoe is removed
from the shoe-receiving space 130, the anti-slip projections
restore from the deformed state.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 3, to take connection strength
between the blocking flanges 150 and the holding portions 120 into
account to ensure that the blocking flanges 150 do not fall apart
during operation of the shoehorn, the body 100 further has multiple
reinforced ribs 170. The reinforced ribs 170 may be connected with
the blocking flanges 150 and the fixing wall 160 and may be
integrally formed with the blocking flanges 150 and the fixing wall
160. Thus, connection strength between the blocking flanges 150 and
the holding portions 120 can be enhanced for the blocking flanges
150 and the holding portions 120 to resist higher force exerted
thereon and prevent the blocking flanges 150 and the holding
portions 120 from being damaged and falling apart by excessively
large force exerted by the user. The reinforced ribs 170 may be
arranged in a crisscrossed pattern.
[0042] To enhance operational convenience of the shoehorn, with
reference to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a shoehorn in
accordance with the present invention differs from the first
embodiment in that the connection portion 110 has a stick-mounting
portion 111 formed thereon. The stick-mounting portion 111 is
cylindrical and has a recessed portion 112 and multiple engagement
portions. The recessed portion 112 is formed in the stick-mounting
portion 111. The multiple engagement portions are formed on an
inner wall of the recessed portion 112 for engaging an external
member. The stick-mounting portion 111 enhances spatial
extensibility of the shoehorn. When it is necessary for users to
conveniently take off the shoe with the external member fastened on
the shoehorn, the external member can be detachably connected to
the stick-mounting portion 111. When the external member is no
longer needed, the external member can be removed from the
shoehorn. Thus, users can have more alternatives tailored to their
preferred operation of the shoehorn.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of a shoehorn
20 in accordance with the present invention differs from the second
embodiment in that the shoehorn further includes a grip stick 200.
The grip stick 200 is elongated and has a stick insertion end 201
formed on one end of the grip stick 200. The stick insertion end
201 is detachably connected with the stick-mounting portion 111 of
the connection portion 110. The stick insertion end 201 may engage
the stick-mounting portion 111 or the stick insertion end 201 is
fastened on the stick-mounting portion 111 through threaded
connection. The detachable nature of the grip stick 200 and the
body 100 facilitates delivery and storage of the shoehorn.
[0044] To enhance the operational effectiveness for adaptation to
different types of users, the grip stick 200 may be curved. The
curvature and length of the grip stick 200 can be categorized into
different levels, such as adult levels and child levels. The grip
stick 200 for the adult levels has a larger curvature and a longer
length, for example, being 30 degrees and 100 centimeters
respectively. The grip stick 200 for the child levels has a smaller
curvature and a shorter length, for example, being 20 degrees and
30 centimeters respectively. Hence, the shoehorn with right choice
of the grip stick 200 can adapt to users of all ages to select
corresponding types of shoehorns regardless of users who are not
comfortable or have waist injury.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of a shoehorn
30 in accordance with the present invention differs from the third
embodiment in having an auxiliary shoe-fitting tool 300 and an
engagement structure of the grip stick 200 in connection with the
shoe-fitting tool 300. Under the circumstance that the grip stick
200 is inserted in the body 100 of the shoehorn 30, the
shoe-fitting tool 300 serves as an additional aid for user's foot
to easily slip into a shoe together with the support of the grip
stick 200 and the body 100 connected to each other. The
shoe-fitting tool 300 has a tool insertion end 301 formed on one
end of the shoe-fitting tool 300. The grip stick 200 has a
tool-receiving end 202 connected with the tool insertion end 301.
The tool insertion end 301 and the tool-receiving end 202 may
engage each other or may be detachably fastened to each other
through threaded connection for easing delivery and storage of the
shoehorn. When the shoehorn 30 is used for users to put on a shoe,
the shoe-fitting tool 300 is inserted in the shoe for a user to
easily put on the shoe and the shoe-fitting tool 300 is pulled out
of the shoe after the user's foot is fully inserted into the
shoe.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 7, a fifth embodiment of a shoehorn
30' in accordance with the present invention differs from the
fourth embodiment in that the grip stick 200 in the shoehorn 30' is
straight while the grip stick 200 in the shoehorn 30 is curved.
[0047] The shoehorn in accordance with the present invention is
advantageous in that the structure of the connection portion 110,
two holding portions 120 connected with two ends of the connection
portion 110, and the shoe-receiving space 130 defined by the
connection portion 110 and the holding portions 120 to enhance the
function in taking off a shoe. Meanwhile, the grip stick 200 can
expand the user groups of the shoehorn, extensively put the
shoehorn into practice, and further increase shoe-wearing
effectiveness when the shoe-fitting tool 300 is connected with the
body 100 to press the body 100 against the ground.
[0048] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the
appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *