Abstract:
The present invention describes a boot hanger assembly that provides a place for the storage and concealment of footwear. The assembly has a shroud and an elongate plastic chain that is hung from an elevated platform such as a wall, ceiling, or an existing rod. Hooks are hung from along the length of a plastic chain that enables boots or other footwear to be hung. This provides for a way to free up closet space while also organizing a person&#39;s footwear. The assembly also has a decorative shroud that covers the hanging footwear. The shroud functions to conceal the contents of the assembly, provide a protective barrier from environmental contaminants, as well as add to the aesthetic value of the assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/679,119 filed on Aug. 3, 2012, entitled “Hook Yer Boots.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to boot hangers. More specifically the invention relates to a footwear suspension apparatus that provides for the organization and concealment of footwear. 
         [0004]    People enjoy receiving new footwear; and often at times a person&#39;s footwear is the accessory that determines how the rest of their clothing will be organized. A nice pair of shoes, sandals, sneakers, boots, or high heels can be a starting point for deciding the colors, patterns and style of dressing that someone would want to wear to accompany with a shoe. Unfortunately, with a great variety of footwear options, comes a decrease in storage opportunities. It doesn&#39;t take long for a closet or a floor to become cluttered with all forms of footwear; and boots in particular, can lose their structural integrity if not properly stored. Leaving boots around the floor or unorganized in the closet are situations that may lead to ruining your footwear. Furthermore, leaving footwear unorganized around the closet and floors can quickly lead to unsafe conditions in which someone might cause harm to themselves or others. 
         [0005]    When people try to find ways to organize their footwear collections, there are the usual solutions. The first option people usually come to is to return their new shoes to their respective boxes after wearing them. This keeps the shoes together, however the boxes take up more space than the shoes alone do, thus are counterproductive when a person wants to reduce space. Another option is to provide a shelving for the footwear; which is a good option until the shelves are all occupied with shoes. As a last resort, people begin to realize that they have too many shoes and start to donate or otherwise remove a shoe from their collection once a new shoe is bought. This solution, however, is also counterproductive because it requires a person to get rid of their belongings. Instead, what is necessary is a solution that allows a user to keep their footwear in an aesthetically pleasing, space saving, and organized collection. 
         [0006]    Several storage devices attempt to provide a way to organize boots and other footwear or clothing accessories by providing a vertical arrangement from which the footwear hangs. The drawback of these systems is that although they may provide a solution to the clutter around the room, they fail to provide a design that is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0007]    A further drawback of the known storage devices is that they fail to protect the footwear from the elements of the room. The footwear contaminants could be one or more of pets, insects, spills, dust, and dirt; wherein each of the contaminants could cause structural harm to the footwear. 
         [0008]    The present invention relates to a new and improved hanging assembly designed for the organization and storage of footwear. The assembly comprises a series of hooks that are attached to a length of plastic chain links that are hung from a wall, ceiling, or suitable platform. The hooks are attached to the chain link at chosen intervals and provide attachment points for the footwear. The assembly further comprises a shroud that covers the entirety of the assembly. The shroud functions to protect the footwear within the assembly from a multitude of contaminants that could potentially damage the footwear. The present invention serves to enable a user to neatly store their footwear and further functions to keep their belongings from becoming damaged as a result of being stepped on, contact with dust and dirt, or from contact with various objects in the user&#39;s room. 
         [0009]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0010]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to footwear hanging assemblies. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to assemblies that comprise clips that clamp on to footwear to store them in an organized manner. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0011]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,288 to Mitchell describes an article storage and display device for displaying toys, tools, and clothing. The device comprises a chain having a plurality of links and fasteners attached thereto. Each of the fasteners comprise clamps adapted for the securement of the items, however, while the prior art of Mitchell is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a means for protection from dust and dirt that might be present in the environment. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,065 to Becklund teaches a hanger with suspended chain and clips, wherein the clips are adapted for the securement of articles such as toys and small clothing articles. Although the prior art of Becklund is similar in the art and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a means for protecting the contents of the assembly from environmental toxins. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,249 to Shang-Lu describes a hanging device for drying clothes. The device has a vertical rod from which a plurality of tubular pipes are attached thereto. While the prior art of Shang-Lu is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a chain link from which to hang articles, and further fails to provide a means for protecting the contents of the assembly from outside contaminants. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,197 to Baxter describes a hanging storage rope device that comprises clips in multiple positions along the length of the device. The clips are located around the rope and are further configured to be pivotal about a pin. Although the prior art of Baxter is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a means for protecting the contents of the storage device from outside contaminants 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,910 to Levin teaches a device for displaying and storing baseball-style caps. The caps are detachably connected to a support and each support is adapted to display a single cap. A plurality of cap holders can be attached to the support at selective spaced locations and the support can be hung from a vertical wall or from an overhead connecter. While the prior art of Levin is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a means for protecting the contents of the support device from outside contaminants 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,517 to Swanson teaches a hat hanger comprising a flexible support cord having a plurality of hooks hanging therefrom for the attachment of clips from which to hang hats. Although the prior art of Swanson is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a means for protecting the contents of the hat hanger from dust and dirt of the environment. 
         [0017]    The present invention relates to a new and improved footwear hanging assembly that enables the footwear to be stored in an organized manner. The assembly comprises elongated plastic chain links that have hooks that are attached at chosen intervals that enable suitable spacing between the footwear. The hooks comprise clamps that enable the attachment of footwear. The footwear hanging assembly provides a means for a person&#39;s footwear to be hung neatly, thus preventing clutter around the room or closet. Boots are the footwear most vulnerable to structural damage when left unprotected or unsupported on the floor and are likely to receive the greatest benefit of being utilized in the present invention, although shoes, heels, and sandals are also forms of footwear that are intended to receive benefit of the present invention. The present invention further provides a mechanism to protect the contents within the assembly in the form of a shroud. The shroud covers the entirety of the assembly and reduces the likelihood that outside contaminants, such as pets, insects, dust, and dirt. By offering a variety of colors and designs, the shroud also functions to add to the aesthetic value of the assembly. 
         [0018]    In view of the aforementioned failings of the prior art devices, it is shown that the prior art has several known drawbacks and that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing footwear hanging assemblies. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of clothing hanging assemblies now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new footwear hanging assembly wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when there is a need to organize footwear while also protecting their footwear from outside contaminants such as dust, dirt, pets, and insects. 
         [0020]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved footwear hanging assembly that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly comprising an elongate plastic chain from which to hang footwear. 
         [0022]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly that lessens the contact that the footwear has with outside contaminants. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly that organizes footwear in a space efficient manner. 
         [0024]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate perspective views of the chain assembly of the present invention including alternate embodiments of clamp and hook combinations. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D illustrate alternate embodiments of the closure mechanisms of the shroud of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the hanging footwear assembly. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the storage and organization of boots. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the footwear hanging assembly of the preferred embodiment. The assembly  10  comprises plastic chain links that hang from a wall, ceiling, or other suitable elevated support device that enables the stable hanging of footwear therefrom. The elongated chain links  15  hang from an elevated support device to enable support of footwear  40  attached thereto. Boots are the form of footwear that receive the greatest benefit from the present invention, however other forms such as heels, shoes and sandals are within the scope of the assembly of the present invention. The assembly further comprises a shroud (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) that covers the contents held within the assembly of the present invention. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the assembly of the present invention. The figures illustrate the assembly  10 , which has a hook  45  that is attached to a support structure such as a closet support bar, a wall, ceiling, or rod. The hook  45  is secured to the elevated platform and provides a location for the hanging of an elongated series of chains  15  linked together that span the length of the assembly  10 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , at intervals along the plastic chain links  15  there are installed a combination hook  20  and clamp  25  attachment mechanism. The hooks  20  and their associated clamps  25  are of a singular design and may be spaced at chosen intervals along the chain link  15  to enable proper spacing of the footwear along the assembly  10 . Referring now to  FIG. 2B , alternatively the attachment hook mechanism can be of an S-hook design  20 . The attachment hooks  20  are inserted through an aperture  27  in the clamps  25 ; wherein the aperture  27  is sized to allow the clamp  25  to rotate about the attachment hook  20  to enable the footwear to rotate freely and restrict structural damage in the event that they are disturbed. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the embodiment of the present invention, to provide clamps  25  having an S-hook, an incorporated attachment hook, or any other suitable attachment hook known in the art. 
         [0033]    Once the attachment hooks  20  and their associated clamps  25  are properly spaced along the plastic chain link  15 , the footwear  40  may be attached to the assembly  10 . The footwear  40  is attached to the assembly by pressing down the clamp  25  to open the clamp  25 . The clamp  25  is then released onto the footwear  40  and the footwear is secured within the jaws  28  of the clamp  25 . Alternatively the footwear  40  can be first attached to the clamp  25  and therein the clamp  25  and footwear  40  are attached to the attachment hooks  20  and the chain links  15  of the assembly  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the jaws  28  of the clamp lack any ridges and are smooth in nature. It is also within the scope of the embodiment to provide a closure mechanism  25  with padded jaws  28  in order to prevent leaving a mark on the footwear  40  when used with the assembly  10 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 3A through 3D  illustrate perspective views of alternative embodiments of the shroud  30  of the present invention. The shroud serves a dual purpose of providing an aesthetically pleasing look and additionally functions to protect the contents within the assembly from outside contaminants. The proximal end of the shroud  30  is securely attached around one of the chain links  15  of the proximal end of the assembly  10  thereof, such that the shroud  30  is not easily detached from the assembly  10 , and further wherein the links  15  situated distally from the hooked end  40  are not secured to the rest of the shroud  30 . This enables the shroud  30  to rest loosely around the footwear  40  and reduces the forces that the shroud  30  would exert on the contents of the assembly  10  that would likely result in the deformation of the footwear  40 . 
         [0035]    The shroud  30  of the assembly  10  additionally provides a protective barrier for the footwear  40 . The shroud  30  is preferably comprised of materials that restrict damage to the footwear  40  within the shroud by limiting exposure to outside contaminants, such as that of pets, pests, insects, rodents, dust, dirt, and accidental spills. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the shroud  30  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is free flowing, lacks any securement features to close the shroud, and wraps around the contents hanging from the chain links  15  when within the assembly  10 . Alternatively, in another embodiment,  FIGS. 3B-3D  illustrate the shroud  30  including closure mechanisms  35  to increase the shroud&#39;s  30  ability to protect the contents of the assembly  40 . Alternate embodiments include that of providing a zipper closure, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , similar to that as seen on garment protectors commonly sold with a new suit, hook and loop fasteners similar to that as illustrated in  FIG. 3C , and snap closures as illustrated in  FIG. 3D . These alternate closures  35  add an additional level of protection above that of an unsecured shroud. 
         [0036]    The shroud  30  of the assembly  10  of the present invention, further serves to provide an aesthetically pleasing assembly  10 . The shroud  30  can come in a variety of colors and designs to match the colors or style of the room in which the assembly  10  is displayed. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention provides a new and improved footwear hanging assembly  10  that provides a way for a user&#39;s footwear  40  to be neatly organized and stored. The assembly  10  comprises a hook  45 , from which hangs an elongated plastic chain  15 . The hook can be hung from a wall, ceiling, or other elevated platform that can stably support the assembly  10  full of footwear  40 . At chosen intervals along the chain links  15  are attachment hooks  20  that enable the attachment of clamps  25  that provide an attaching point for the footwear  40 . The assembly  10 , additionally comprises a shroud  30  that covers the entirety of the assembly  10 . The shroud  30  functions to restrict the exposure of the footwear  40  inside the assembly  10  to outside contaminants such as dust, dirt, and liquids. Additionally, the shroud  30  serves to aid in presenting an aesthetically pleasing design by the use of a variety of colors and designs on the shroud  30  to suit the user&#39;s preference. The primary use of the present invention is for the hanging and protection of boots, although other forms of footwear such as shoes, heels, and sandals are covered in the scope of the present invention. Boots have more material, and thus have a greater chance for becoming structurally damaged by being stepped on, left unattended under the weight of its own material, or by being within a closet among other items in the closet. 
         [0038]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0039]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.