Patent ID: 8032962
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: A43D

Abstract:
1. A shoe enlargement device for stretching a user's shoe to accommodate his/her foot more comfortably, said shoe enlargement device comprising: (a) a generally foot-shaped expansion device having a toe piece and a heel piece; wherein the toe piece has a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the toe piece is divided into a first half and a second half separated by a cavity; wherein the heel piece has a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface; (b) an anchor piece disposed in the cavity of the toe piece; wherein the anchor piece is for separating the first half of the toe piece and the second half; (c) a channel disposed inside the heel piece, wherein the channel spans the length of the heel piece as measured from the first end of the heel piece to the second end of the heel piece; (d) an enlargement screw having a first end, a second end, and threads; wherein the enlargement screw is disposed in the channel in the heel piece and spans the length of the heel piece as measured from the first end of the heel piece to the second end of the heel piece; wherein the first end of the enlargement screw is attached to the anchor piece disposed in the toe piece and the second end of the enlargement screw extends outwardly from the second end of the heel piece; wherein the enlargement screw allows the toe piece and the heel piece to be separated by a distance of the user's choice; (e) a gripping piece disposed in the heel piece near the second end of the channel, wherein the gripping piece engages the threads of the enlargement screw as it turns; (f) a handle pivotally attached to the second end of the enlargement screw via a hinge mechanism, wherein the handle is for allowing a user to turn the enlargement screw; and (g) a first roller bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the first half of the toe piece on the bottom surface; wherein the second end of the first roller bar is telescopically received in a second roller bar having a first end and a second end, said second end of said second roller bar attached to the second half of the toe piece on the bottom surface; wherein the first roller bar and second roller bar allow the first half of the toe piece and the second half of the toe piece to be moved closer together or farther apart; and (h) a roller surrounding the first roller bar and second roller bar; wherein the roller is for preventing damage to a sole of the shoe when the shoe expansion device is inserted or expanded in the shoe; wherein a user can turn the enlargement screw in the gripping piece via the handle to move the toe piece and the heel piece either closer together or farther apart and to move the anchor piece in the cavity of the toe piece; wherein moving the anchor piece in the cavity of the toe piece can push the first half of the toe piece and the second half of the toe piece farther apart.