US2478965A - Shoe tree for ladies' heelless shoes - Google Patents

Description

L. FELDWORTH SHOE TRE FORLADIES HEELLESS SHOES Aug. 16,

' 2 Filed m 27, 1946 'atented Aug. 16, 1949 Leo Feldworth, Santa Monica, 4 v Application May. 27-, 1946, Serial No. 672,640 3 1 'j l4f3laims. (o1'.i2s'-' 1)' Myinvention relates to'shoe trees, m re' 'particularly 'to shoe tree for womens open-heeled shoes... I

T Included in the objects of my invention are: I 1 .First, tojprovi'de a shoe tree which is adapted to, engage andsupport the heel strap of a womans open-heeled shoe'and utilize the strap to retain the toe end of the shoe tree in proper engagement with the toe of the shoe, thu providing a shoe tree which not only assists in maintaining the toe of the shoe in proper shape but also minimizes damage to the heel strap due to folding or downward bending of the heel strap at its points of connection to the side of the shoe.

Second, to provide a shoe tree, which, without adjustment, may be fitted into a wide range of shoe sizes.

Third, to provide a shoe tree which enables the shoe to be hung or supported on a hook, if desired, to avoid storing the shoe on the closet floor where iti subject to damage.

Fourth, to provide a shoe tree which is particularly simple and economical of construction as Well as sturdy and dependable in operation.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a womans open heel shoe with my shoe tree shown in position.

Figure 2 is a top view of my shoe tree.

Figure 3 is a side view thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the toe member.

Figure 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the heel member.

My shoe tree includes a toe member I shaped to fit within the toe portion of a shoe, the toe member is preferably formed of plastic material and its under ide is hollow. Within the rear side of the toe member are bosses 2 in which are 40 inserted and secured the ends of a pair of parallel connecting bars 3. The rear ends of the connecting bars are bent downwardly and are joined together to form an open loop 4 which constitutes a rest or support adapted to bear against the insole of the shoe. 7 A heel member 5 is provided which is also preferably formed of plastic and open at its under side. The heel member 5 is substantially wedgeshaped in plan with a rounded apex. The forward or wider end of the heel member is provided with a pair of parallel guide bosses 6 having holes therethrough to receive the connecting bars 3. The heel member is adapted to be fitted onto the connecting bars 3 before these bars are secured 111;: the toemember .-I. In order to permit inser tionof the bars the side walls :of the heel meme ber are-,recessed as;indicated by -I.: The heel. member 5 may ,beprovidedzwith a hole: 3 to en 5 able the shoe tree vtobe hung on a 110011.01 .similar, support. and also to" receive ones finger when fitting the shoe tree into a shoe..

The connecting bars 3 receive coil springs 9 which urge the heel member 5 to its rearwardly l0 extended position. In this position the open loop or support 4 is engaged by the rear extremities of the guide bosses 6 and forms a stop.

The shoe tree is employed as follows: The toe member 2 is inserted in the toe A of the shoe and the heel member'5 is drawn forwardly until the heel strap B of the shoe 0 may be fitted around the heel member 5. In this position the loop 4 rests on the insole D ofv the shoe and supports the heel member as well as the heel strap in the proper elevated position relative to the shoe.

It will be observed that by reason of the recessed side walls 1 the heel member 5 may be relatively long so that its range of movement in 2 order to accommodate different sizes of shoes may be relatively large so as to minimize the need for different sizes of shoe trees.

Having fully described my invention it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

'1. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strap extends from the toe or mid-portion of the shoe around the heel of the wearer and is supported thereby, said shoe tree comprising: a toe member shaped to fit within the toe of a womans shoe; a frame extending therefrom and including a support adapted to rest on the heel of the shoe; and a heel strap engaging member slidable on said frame in approximately the normal plane of the heel strap when worn, said member projecting rearwardly of said support and shaped to fit within and support said strap in said normal plane.

2. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strap extends from the toe or midportion .of the shoe around the heel of the wearer and is supported thereby, said shoe tree comprismg: a toe member shaped to fit within the toe of a womans shoe; a pair of bars extending from said toe member terminating in a downturned support adapted to rest on the heel of the shoe; a slide member guided on said bars, adapted to fit within the heel strap of said shoe and disposed in elevated relation to the shoe heel by reason of said support thereby to maintain said heel strap in approximately its heel encompassing elevation; and springs on said bars for urging said slide to its extended position.

3. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strap extends from the toe or midportion of the shoe around the heel of the wearer and is supported thereby, said shoe tree comprising: astoe member? shaped to: fit within; thetoe of a woman's shoe; a U-shaped support adapted to rest on the insole of the shoe and a pair of rods extending from the extremities of said support to said toe members; as-li'dla-guiclei on said rods and protruding beyondrsaid support, said slide adapted to fit within a shoe heel strap and positioned by said support; tmretainlsaidzstrapl in approximately its normal heel encompassing; position; and yieldable means engaging sa'i'clslide to its extended positiona A shoe tree for women s shoes: or the type. whereim a heel strap extends: from: the toe on mideportion, of' the shoe around: the heel of the: and: is'supported thereby, said shoe-weeeomprisingz: a toe member shaped toflti within thertoe of a: woman s shoe; a'guidelmeansaextendiing rearwardly from: said the member and tenminating in a downwardly directed support adapted to rest on the insole of the shoe; a slide member carried by said guide means and protruding rearwardly beyond said support, said slide member adapted to fit within a shoe heel strap and positioned by said support to retain said strap in approximately its normal wearing position; and yieldable means for urging said slide towardlits extended position on said guide.

LEO FELlEiWORTH.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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