Abstract:
A shoe drying system for drying footwear is provided. The shoe drying system comprises a base platform and a housing is positioned on the base platform with the housing having a vertical wall extending in an upward direction. A collection tray is positionable upon the base platform. An angled draining tray is positionable upon the first end of the collection tray. A shoe rack is positioned upon the draining tray and the vertical wall of the housing. A drying mechanism within the housing directs warm, dry air in a general direction toward the shoe rack. Upon positioning the footwear in the shoe rack and activating the drying means, the footwear is dried enabling a user to maintain a like-new appearance of the footwear for extended periods.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/820,741, filed on May 8, 2013, entitled “Night Shoe Bed”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to a shoe drying system and, more particularly, the invention relates to a shoe drying system for drying their footwear after the shoes have been washed or are wet due to exposure to the elements. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    For most fashion conscious users, a carefully planned ensemble is simply not complete without a pair of matching dress shoes. Fashionable formal footwear is an essential component of practically every wardrobe. Not limited to special occasions such as formal gatherings, weddings and the like, wearing dress shoes is common practice in daily life, as most would not think of heading off to an important business meeting or even a church social in a pair of sandals or tennis shoes. Although formal footwear is stylish, wearing fancy shoes can sometimes present challenges. Particularly, pumps, sling backs, brogues, and wingtips require constant maintenance to maintain their bright, like-new shine. Removing the scuffs and scratches that mar these shoes during every day wear is typically accomplished with an involved procedure of gently washing the shoes with a mild detergent or polishing agent. Not limited to dress shoes, this activity is often undertaken with everyday shoes such as casual loafers and sneakers that have become wet or sullied as result of repeated wear or exposure to the elements. With their shoes properly cleaned however, consumers are faced with the dilemma of wear to store their shoes in order to dry them. Placed on a windowsill, a pair of sopping tennis shoes might not get completely dry before one is ready to wear them again. Set directly atop a hot air vent, a pair of expensive wing tips might be exposed to too much heat, thus resulting in the delicate leather material of the shoes cracking or fraying. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    The present invention is a shoe drying system for drying footwear. The shoe drying system comprises a base platform having a first end and a second end. A housing is positioned at the first end of the base platform with the housing having a vertical wall extending in a generally upward direction from the housing. A collection tray having a first end and a second end is provided with the collection tray positionable upon the base platform. A draining tray having a first end and a second end is provided. The first end of the draining tray is positionable upon the first end of the collection tray and the second end of the draining tray positionable above the second end of the collection tray. A shoe rack is positioned upon the second end of the draining tray and the vertical wall of the housing. A drying mechanism within the housing directs warm, dry air in a general direction toward the shoe rack. Upon positioning the footwear in the shoe rack and activating the drying means, the footwear is dried enabling a user to maintain a like-new appearance of the footwear for extended periods. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention includes a method for drying footwear. The method comprises providing a base platform having a first end and a second end, positioning a housing at the first end of the base platform, extending a vertical wall from the housing in a generally upward direction from the housing, providing a collection tray having a first end and a second end, positioning the collection tray upon the base platform, providing a draining tray having a first end and a second end, positioning the first end of the draining tray upon the first end of the collection tray, positioning the second end of the draining tray above the second end of the collection tray, positioning a shoe rack upon the second end of the draining tray and the vertical wall of the housing, directing warm, dry air in a general direction toward the shoe rack, positioning the footwear in the shoe rack and activating the drying means, and enabling a user to maintain a like-new appearance of the footwear for extended periods. 
         [0008]    The present invention further includes a shoe drying system for drying footwear. The shoe drying system comprises a base platform having a first end and a second end. A housing is positioned at the first end of the base platform with the housing having a vertical wall extending in a generally upward direction from the housing. A collection tray having a first end and a second end is provided. The collection tray is positionable upon the base platform. An angled draining tray having a first end and a second end is provided. The first end of the draining tray is positionable upon the first end of the collection tray and the second end of the draining tray is positionable above the second end of the collection tray. A shoe rack is positioned upon the second end of the draining tray and the vertical wall of the housing with the shoe rack having various rows, each row angled in an opposite direction of the next. A low output heater and integrated motor driven blower fan is mounted within the housing for directing warm, dry air in a general direction toward the shoe rack. Upon positioning the footwear in the shoe rack and activating the drying means, the footwear is dried enabling a user to maintain a like-new appearance of the footwear for extended periods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a shoe drying system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevational side view illustrating the shoe drying system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view illustrating the shoe drying system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a drying fan of the shoe drying system, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the present invention is a shoe drying system for drying their footwear after the shoes have been washed or are wet due to exposure to the elements. The shoe drying system  10  of the present invention is a portable electric dryer that disperses low output heat over a pair of shoes, thus gently, yet expeditiously drying them and enabling the user to maintain the like-new appearance of their shoes for extended periods. 
         [0014]    A portable, electric unit, the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention is preferably constructed primarily of heavy duty, heat resistant plastic material and preferably measures approximately twelve (12″) inches in width, approximately fifteen (“15”) inches in depth, and between approximately fifteen (“15) inches and approximately (“20”) inches in expandable length. While particular materials and particular dimensions of the shoe drying system  10  have been described herein, it is within the scope of the present invention for the shoe drying system  10  to be constructed from different materials and have different dimensions. 
         [0015]    Boasting an open design, the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention has a base platform  12 . Preferably the base platform  12  is rectangular, however, other shapes of the base platform are within the scope of the present invention. A collection tray  14  is slidably mountable inside or positioned on top of the base platform  12  for collecting moisture, as will be described in further detail below. The collection tray  14  includes raised side walls with the top of collection tray  14  open to collect water as it runs off the shoes drying directly above. 
         [0016]    Positioned directly above the collection tray  14  of the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention is an angled draining tray  16 , with the proximal end of the draining tray  16  abutting flush against the top of the collection tray  14 , while the distal end of the draining tray  16  measures several inches higher. Above the draining tray  16  is a shoe rack  18  for holding the shoes to be dried. Like the draining tray  16 , the shoe rack  18  is preferably angled. In this manner, shoes placed upon the shoe rack  18  slope downwards, thus allowing the pull of gravity to cause the run off of water. Manufactured of a plastic screen material that boasts a wide grate, the shoe rack  18  is configured to facilitate the circulation of air about the shoes, while also allowing water that runs off the shoes to fall through the grating, onto the draining tray  16 , and into the collection tray  14  positioned below. The slightly pitched surface of this shoe rack  18  is offered in contrasting rows, with each row angled in the opposite direction of the next. Fully adjustable, the shoe rack  18  has simple sliding or comparable fittings that enable the user to expand or contract the shoe rack  18  to accommodate smaller, larger or multiple pairs of shoes. 
         [0017]    In addition, the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention can include two vertical posts mounted to the shoe rack  18  designed expressly for use in drying a pair of inverted boots. The removable posts preferably measure several inches in length, thus accommodating the shaft of the boot and are secured within corresponding fittings incorporated into the design of the shoe rack  18 . 
         [0018]    Positioned at the proximal end of the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention, directly above the front end of the collection tray  14 , is a housing  20  for a low output heater and integrated motor driven blower fan  22 . The small fan  22  disperses warm air directly over the shoe rack  18  and shoes stored upon it, thus gently, yet expeditiously facilitating the drying process. A simple on/off switch  24  is located at the top of the housing  20  for use in activating the fan  22 . The shoe drying system  10  operates on conventional 110 volt, 60 hertz power and connected to any standard power outlet via a standard two prong power cord  26 . 
         [0019]    The shoe drying system  10  of the present invention can also include an UV-C light. The light is used on shoes/boots that are already dry and the user uses the light to eliminate surface germs and bacteria caused odors and allergens and viruses. 
         [0020]    The manner of use of the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention will now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the manner of use of the shoe drying system  10  described herein is merely one method of use and other methods of use of the shoe drying system  10  are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]    Use of the shoe drying system  10  of the present invention is very simple and straight forward. The shoe drying system  10  can be stored in a closet, on a countertop or any other easily accessed area for use when needed. The shoe drying system  10  can also be offered for guest use at hotels, airports or similar establishments. The shoe drying system  10  can be utilized to dry shoes after one has gently washed their shoes with a mild detergent or shoe cleaner, or should one&#39;s shoes be wet as a result of exposure to rain, snow or sleet. Placing the inverted shoes directly atop the sloped shoe rack  18 , the user makes any necessary adjustments to the length of the shoe rack  18  to accommodate the size of their shoes or the number of pairs they wished to dry. If drying a pair of boots, the user inserts the vertical posts within the dedicated fittings located on the front end of the rack, sliding the shaft of the boots over the posts and thus securing the boots vertically and upside down. With the shoes placed atop the shoe rack  18 , the user activates the integrated dryer  22 . Once activated, the low output heater  22  begins to produce warm air, while the integrated fan  22  would blow this warm air over the shoes. Any water that drips off the shoes falls upon the draining tray  16  and into the collection tray  14  positioned directly below the shoe rack  18 . Once the shoes are dried, the user removes them from the shoe rack  18 , empties the collection tray  12  and then stores the unit away until again needed. 
         [0022]    The shoe drying system  10  of the present invention offers users a number of significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the shoe drying system  10  provides users a simple means of maintaining the pristine appearance of their footwear. A cleverly designed motorized drying rack, the shoe drying system  10  allows users to gently and safely dry their shoes after they have been washed or polished, or in the event the shoes are wet as a result of exposure to rain, sleet or snow. Boasting a sloped drying rack, over which warm air is gently dispersed via a motorized heater, the shoe drying system  10  dries wet footwear in a quick and effortless manner. A practical alternative to setting wet shoes on a windowsill where they might not dry quickly enough, or placing them directly on a heater that can result in the shoes being exposed to too much heat and thus compromising the material and structure of the footwear, use of the shoe drying system  10  enables the user to dry their shoes in a safe and simple fashion. Users will appreciate the convenient sloped design of the drying rack; optional boot posts and removable collection tray, all of which facilitate the drying process and make clean-up of the unit following use a snap. Although designed expressly for general household use, the shoe drying system  10  can be offered as service to overnight hotel guests, airline travelers and the like, providing businesses a simple means of providing clientele a luxury drying service, for free or at a reasonable price. Ideal for use in drying virtually any pair of shoes, the shoe drying system  10  can also be utilized to dry small toys or household objects, providing a gentle means of caring for one&#39;s belongings. An optional flat rack can be included with the shoe drying system  10  and on which the user dries the family pet such as a small dog or cat, following a routine bath. 
         [0023]    The shoe drying system  10  of the present invention provides users a practical assist in maintaining pristine footwear. A portable, motorized drying station, the shoe drying system  10  proves an invaluable commodity in any home, as well as in various hotels and travel venues. 
         [0024]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.