A SHOEHORN

Abstract: A shoehorn (1) consists of a flexible, thin material, e.g. plastic or metal, so that when in use it can change its shape to essentially correspond to the rear interior portion of a shoe where the user's heel is inserted. Its size does not substantially exceed the standard size of a bank card or credit card, so that it can be kept in e.g. a wallet. The shoehorn may comprise two or more portions (1a, 1b) which are of different shape and define shoulders or hook-shaped portions (1c) preventing the shoehorn when used from sliding down into the shoe.

Description: Vesa Koskela A SHOEHORN The technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a shoehorn of a flexible thin material, e.g. plastic or metal, which in use changes its shape so as to roughly correspond to the rear interior portion of a shoe where the user's heel is inserted. The standing of the art Shoehorns of the conventional type, meaning consisting of a hard material and with a C-shaped profile, are impractical to carry with one. US,A, 2 171 310 (Morgan) discloses a flexible, flat shoehorn capable to adapt its shape. It consists of a leather holding surrounding a wire or spring package which can be extracted when the shoehorn is to be used. Also this shoehorn is comparatively clumsy and thick and cannot readily be kept in e.g. a wallet. The same applies to the shoehorn described in DE,A,341 089 (Harper) . US Design Patents 355 522 and 360 743 (both granted to Simpson) have handle portions projecting from a flat surface which makes it difficult to keep them. Swiss Patent Specification 183 654 (Urban-Klump) discloses a shoehorn of a thin flexible material to get adaption to a heel to be inserted into a shoe. The shoehorn has an upper, roughly oval handle portion and the length of the lower portion of the shoehorn is such that, when the shoehorn is used, the handle portion will be located a consi- derable distance above the counter of a shoe in which the shoehorn is to be used. The length of the shoehorn is such that it cannot be kept in e.g. a wallet. SE, A, 9202512 (Furendal) discloses a shoehorn for disabled persons, the basic idea of that invention being that the shoehorn can, by means of "clips" be mounted on the shoe before the person makes an effort to don the shoe. After use the shoehorn can conveniently be removed by means of a string och strap attached thereto. A clips of the type concerned exhibits elements projecting from the plane of the shoehorn which complicates the insertion of the foot into the shoe and also makes it inconvenient to keep the shoehorn in e.g. a wallet. US,A, 865 462 (Weeks) describes a shoehorn of the type defined in the preamble of claim 1 of the present patent. This shoehorn has the disadvantage that it cannot assume a defined position in relation to the shoe when the foot is inserted which makes it necessary, as a rule, to take hold of the shoehorn when the foot is to be inserted into the shoe which complicates the operation. The object of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a shoehorn which in a more reliable way than the prior art implements cooperates with the shoe during the donning operation which is thereby facilitated. Also it is not bulky so that it can conveniently be carried with one. The above object is realized by a shoehorn according to the invention which is of the type above defined and which exhibits the features set out in the characterizing portion of claim 1. The shoulders or the hook-shaped sections between the portions of the shoehorn contribute to keep it fixed in position on the shoe in connection with the insertion operation which makes it possible to carry out great portion thereof without holding the shoehorn, whereby the insertion operation is facilitated and, if desired, can be carried out in a standing position. At least the one side of the shoehorn can have a surface layer or be treated so as to reduce the friction, thereby facilitating the insertion of the foot. Thanks to its shape described above the shoehorn can conventiently be provided with printed symbols, e.g. an advertising message. Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. Drawing figure presentation Figs 1-3 are plan views illustrated shoehorns according to the invention but shaped in four different ways. Fig. 4 is a front view of a shoehorn according to any of the preceding figures and shows that it consists of a thin material. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of a shoe provided with an inserted shoehorn according to the invention. Fig. 6 is a rear view of a shoe with an inserted shoehorn. Description of preferred embodiments Figs 1-3 exemplify differently shaped shoehorns 1 made of a thin flexible material, e.g. plastic or metal. These shoehorns will when used change their form so that it does roughly correspond to that of the rear portion of a shoe where the user's heel is to be inserted. As appears from the illustrated exemplifying embodiments the general shape of the shoehorn can vary within wide limits. However, it is common to them all that they do not have any portions or parts projecting from the plane of the two parallel lateral surfaces and also that their size does not substantially exceed the size of a bank card or credit card. This makes it possible conveniently to keep the shoehorn in e.g. a wallet. As appears from Figs 1-3 , the shoehorn comprises two or more portions which are of different width and/or shape la, lb. At the boundary between those portions there are shoulders or hook-shaped parts lc which prevent the shoehorn from sliding down into the shoe when in use. The length of the portion lb should suitably correspond to or be somewhat lesser than the length of a counter of a shoe at which the shoehorn is to be used. There is a possibility to - starting from a "normal size" of the shoehorn - by means of a pair of scissors to give portion lb its desired length and shape. At least one side of the shoehorn can be coated or treated for the purpose of reducing the friction so that the insertion of the foot is facilitated. Further, the one or both sides can exhibit printed symbols (not shown) , e.g. an advertising message. It appears from Figs 5 and 6 that the shoehorn 1 - which when not in use is completely flat - when in use and in contact with one foot pressing against the counter of the shoe will flex and adapt itself to the contour of the foot. The foot will slide down into the shoe along the shoehorn without being stopped by the counter. When the foot is down in the shoe it is easy to withdraw the shoehorn by grasping the large easy to grab surface located above the counter. If desired the shoehorn could be provided with a hole Id for a string (not shown) which facilitates its removal by a person finding it difficult to bend down.

Claims: Claims 1. A shoehorn consisting of a flexible, thin material, e.g. plastic or metal, so that when in use it can change its shape to one approximately corresponding that of the rear, interior portion of a shoe where the user's heel is inserted, said shoehorn (1) when not in use not comprising any portions or parts projecting from the plane defined by its two parallel lateral surfaces the area of which does not substantially exceed the standard size of a bank card or credit card, so that it can be kept in e.g. a wallet, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises two or more portions (la, lb) of different width and/or shape which form shoulders or hook-shaped portions (lc) preventing the shoehorn from sliding down into the shoe when used. 2. A shoehorn as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it does, on at least the one side, exhibit printed symbols, e.g. an advertising message. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 10 November 1998 (10.11.98) original claims 1 and 2 replaced by amended claim 1 (1 page)] Claim A shoehorn consisting of a flexible, thin material, e.g. plastic or metal, said shoehorn (1) when not in use not comprising any portions or parts projecting from the plane defined by its two parallel lateral surfaces the area of which does not substantially exceed the standard size of a bank card or credit card, so that it can be kept in e.g. a wallet, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises two or more portions (la, lb) of different width and/or shape, one of said portions having shoulders or hook- shaped portions (lc) formed thereon, said portions when the shoehorn in use is bent and changes its shape to one approximately corresponding to the user's heel are exposed to engage the counter of the shoe (2) and prevents the shoehorn from sliding down into the shoe.

Inventors: KOSKELA VESA, KOSKELA, VESA
Applicants: KOSKELA VESA, KOSKELA, VESA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47G25
IPC codes: A43B11, A47G25, G09F21