Patent Publication Number: US-11389023-B2

Title: Shoehorn assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices for assisting a person in putting on footwear. In particular, the present invention relates to shoehorns that assist in maneuvering the tongue of footwear when the footwear is being put on. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoehorns are tools that assist users in putting on shoes or other footwear. Typically, a shoehorn comprises a handle on one end and a smooth surface on the other end. The smooth surface allows for a user&#39;s heel to more easily enter into the shoe by allowing the heel to slide down the smooth surface into the shoe, before resting against the shoe&#39;s counter. At the same time, the user is able to grip the handle and use the shoehorn as a lever of sorts in order to further assist the heel in entering the shoe. 
     One type of shoehorn comprises an elongated handle. This allows the user to use the shoehorn without having to bend down or squat. This is especially helpful for users who lack mobility or are otherwise physically challenged. 
     Although shoehorns are helpful in assisting the entry of the user&#39;s heel into the shoe, many shoes also include a tongue, which is the flap that sits near the top central portion of the shoe. Before the shoe can be put on, it may be necessary to lift the tongue up (away from the opening of the shoe) in order to facilitate the entry of the foot into the opening. Otherwise, the tongue may not sit properly on the bridge of the foot after the entire foot has entered the shoe. 
     However, the lifting of the tongue away from the shoe&#39;s opening would also require the user to bend down or squat, which, as discussed above, may be difficult for some users. Therefore, it would be helpful to provide a device that could assist a user in putting on footwear without requiring the user to bend down or squat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An assembly for assisting a user in putting on footwear having a tongue comprising a shoehorn portion and one or more attachment portions. The shoehorn portion comprises an elongated handle and an engagement member. The engagement member comprises a first surface and one or more shoehorn magnets situated proximate to the first surface. The attachment portions are removably attached to the tongue and comprise a clip and a body portion. The clip is configured to removably attached to the tongue. The body portion is connected to the clip and comprises one or more attachment magnets configured to engage with the shoehorn magnets. The engagement of the attachment magnets to the shoehorn magnets allows the user to manipulate a movement of the tongue. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the engagement member further comprises a cavity for accommodating the shoehorn magnets. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shoehorn magnets lie substantially flush with the first surface. 
     In still a further embodiment, the clip comprises first and second clip surfaces configured to slide over a top and a bottom, respectively, of the tongue. 
     In another embodiment, the clip comprises a first clip surface, one or more protrusions, and fasteners. The first clip surface is configured to slide over a top of the tongue. The protrusions extend away from the first clip surface and are configured to extend through the tongue through openings formed on the tongue. The fasteners are attached to the protrusions and prevent removal of the clip from the tongue. 
     In still another embodiment, the body portion comprises an outer surface, wherein the attachment magnets are located on or proximate to the outer surface. 
     In yet another embodiment, the first surface comprises an engagement surface and a ridge, wherein the shoehorn magnets are located on or proximate to the engagement surface. 
     In still a further embodiment, the ridge is offset from the engagement surface by between 0 and 4 millimeters. 
     In still yet a further embodiment, the ridge prevents lateral movement of the shoehorn portion with respect to the attachment portion in one direction. 
     In a further embodiment, the shoehorn magnets are electromagnets. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the shoehorn portion further comprises a power source and a switch, wherein the power source and the switch are electrically connected to the electromagnets. 
     In another embodiment, a method for assisting a user in putting on footwear having a tongue comprises providing a shoehorn portion comprising an elongated handle and an engagement member, wherein the engagement member comprises one or more shoehorn magnets; attaching an attachment portion to the tongue, wherein the attachment portion comprises a clip configured to removably attach to the tongue and a body portion comprising one or more attachment magnets; moving the shoehorn portion to above the attachment portion such that the shoehorn magnets magnetically engage with the attachment magnets; moving the attachment portion, through the shoehorn portion, such that the tongue is moved away from the footwear; inserting a foot of the user partway into the footwear; and detaching the shoehorn portion from the attachment portion. 
     In a further embodiment, the step of detaching the shoehorn portion from the attachment portion comprises pulling the shoehorn magnets away from the attachment magnets. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the step of detaching the shoehorn portion from the attachment portion comprises twisting the elongated handle along a longitudinal axis. 
     The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the shoehorn portion of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the shoehorn portion of  FIG. 2 , taken along  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view showing the assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachment portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachment portion; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view showing another embodiment of the attachment portion; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the shoehorn portion; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial side view of the shoehorn portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial side view showing the shoehorn portion of  FIG. 9  attached to the attachment portion; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the shoehorn portion; 
         FIG. 12A  is a partial side view of another embodiment of the shoehorn portion; 
         FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of the assembly; 
         FIG. 14  shows a side view of another embodiment of the assembly; 
         FIG. 15  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , with the shoehorn portion and the attachment portion engaged together; and 
         FIG. 16  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , with the shoehorn portion and the attachment portion in the process of being disengaged. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention comprises a shoehorn portion  102  and one or more attachment portions  104 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the shoehorn portion  102  comprises opposed first and second ends  106 ,  108 . An elongated handle  110  is proximate to the second end  108 , with the elongated handle  110  preferably comprising a grip surface  112  to facilitate gripping by a user  10 . Proximate to the first end  106  is an engagement member  114  comprising a first surface  116  that is configured to engage with a heel  12  of the user  10 . In order to better engage with the heel  12 , at least a portion of the first surface  116  may be curved (to generally follow the curvature of the heel  12 ). 
     In addition, one or more shoehorn magnets  118  sit on or are situated proximate to the first end  106  (as best shown in  FIG. 3 ). For example, in one embodiment, the shoehorn magnet  118  may sit within a cavity  120  formed on the engagement member  114 , such that the shoehorn magnet  118  lies substantially flush with the first surface  116 , as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 . In another embodiment, the shoehorn magnet  118  may be molded within the engagement member  114  such that it lies under the first surface  116 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the shoehorn magnet  118  has a generally cylindrical shape; however, it is understood that other shapes are also possible. 
     The attachment portions  104  are adapted to attach to a tongue  14  of a shoe  16 . The attachment portions  104  may be attached to the tongue  14  by conventional attachment means, such as by sewing, adhesives, hook and loop fasteners (i.e. VELCRO™), or other mechanical fasteners.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show one embodiment of the attachment portion  104 . In this embodiment, the attachment portion  104  comprises a clip  122  configured to clip onto the tongue  14 . Preferably, the clip  122  comprises first and second clip surfaces  124 ,  126  configured to slide over the top and bottom of the tongue  14 , respectively. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , the second clip surface  126  may comprise one or more undulations  128  to allow for better gripping of the clip  122  on the tongue  14 . Preferably, the clip  122  is removably attachable to the tongue  14 . 
     In another embodiment of the attachment portion  104 , shown in  FIG. 7 , the clip  122  comprises one or more clip fasteners  136  that are intended to extend through the tongue  14 . The clip fasteners  136  extend through the second clip surface  126  and may also extend to the first clip surface  124 . The clip fasteners  136  may be screws, rivets, or the like. The clip fasteners  136  provide a more secure attachment of the attachment portion  104  to the tongue  14 . 
     In another embodiment of the attachment portion  104 , shown in  FIG. 8 , the clip  122  comprises only the first clip surface  124 . The first clip surface  124  is configured to slide over the top of the tongue  14 . The clip  122  also comprises one or more protrusions  130  that extend away from the first clip surface  124 . The protrusions  130  comprise first and second protrusion ends  132 ,  134  and extend through corresponding tongue openings  18  on the tongue  14 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first protrusion end  132  is attached to the first clip surface  124 . After the protrusion  130  has been passed through the tongue opening  18 , a stopper  137  may be attached to the second protrusion end  134 . Preferably, the stopper  137  will have a larger diameter than the tongue opening  18 , such that the stopper  137  will prevent the clip  122  from being detached from the tongue  14 . 
     Each of the attachment portions  104  further comprises a body portion  138 . The body portion  138  may be connected to the clip  122 . The body portion  138  comprises one or more attachment magnets  140 . Preferably, the attachment magnet  140  generally corresponds in shape to the shoehorn magnet  118 . For example, if the shoehorn magnet  118  has a generally cylindrical shape, the attachment magnet  140  preferably also has a generally cylindrical shape with similar dimensions. 
     The attachment magnet  140  may be located on or proximate to an outer surface  142  of the body portion  138 . For example, in one embodiment, the attachment magnet  140  may be located below the outer surface  142  such that it is not visible. This may be accomplished, for example, by molding the body portion  138  using plastic and encasing the attachment magnet  140  within the body portion  138 . Alternatively, the attachment magnet  140  may be situated such that it is substantially flush with the outer surface  142 . 
     Preferably, when the attachment portion  104  is attached to the tongue  14 , the attachment magnet  140  is oriented towards the top of the shoe  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the attachment portion  104  is attached to the top of the tongue  14 , with the outer surface  142  oriented away from the top of the shoe  16 . As a result, the attachment magnet  140  also is oriented away from the top of the shoe  16 . 
     The general operation of the assembly  100  will now be described. The attachment portion  104  is attached to the tongue  14  of the shoe  16 . When the user  10  wishes to put on the shoe  16 , the user  10  grasps the shoehorn portion  102  by the handle  110 . The user  10  then maneuvers the shoehorn portion  102  over the shoe  16  until one of the shoehorn magnets  118  in the shoehorn portion  102  is situated approximately above one of the attachment magnets  140  in the attachment portion  104 . As a result of magnetic attraction, the attachment magnet  140  and the shoehorn magnet  118  will be attracted towards each other, and the two will tend to adhere to each other. Consequently, the first surface  116  of the shoehorn portion  102  will tend to adhere to the outer surface  142  of the attachment portion  104 . 
     Once the first surface  116  has adhered to the outer surface  142 , the user  10  can use the shoehorn portion  102  to move the attachment portion  104  (and thereby the attached tongue  14 ) away from the rest of the shoe  16  by pulling the shoehorn portion  102  in a direction away from the shoe  16 . This would allow the user  10  to insert his or her foot  20  partway into the shoe  16  without the interference of the tongue  14 . Once the foot  20  has been partly inserted into the shoe  16 , the user  10  can disengage the shoehorn portion  102  from the attachment portion  104  by continuing to pull on the shoehorn portion  102  away from the shoe  16 . Because the attachment portion  104  is securely attached to the tongue  14  (and by extension the shoe  16 ), the force exerted by the user  10  will eventually be sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the shoehorn magnet  118  and the attachment magnet  140 , causing the shoehorn portion  102  to detach from the attachment portion  104 . 
     In one embodiment, by aligning the respective north/south polarities of the shoehorn magnet  118  and the attachment magnet  140 , it is possible to ensure that the adherence of the shoehorn magnet  118  to the attachment magnet  140  occurs at the same approximate position and orientation each time. The respective moldings around the shoehorn magnet  118  and the attachment magnet  140  can be formed so that they engage with each other when the shoehorn magnet  118  and the attachment magnet  140  adhere. This allows the shoehorn portion  102  to be pulled without easily disengaging from the attachment portion  104 . Alternatively, the shoehorn magnet  118  and the attachment magnet  140  may be shaped such that they engage with each other when adhered together. In this case, the user  10  may be required to twist the shoehorn portion  102  in order to disengage it from the attachment portion  104 . 
     The user  10  can then use the shoehorn portion  102  in its conventional manner to assist in inserting the heel  12  into the shoe  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , in another embodiment, the first surface  116  of the engagement member  114  comprises an engagement surface  144  and a ridge  146 . The shoehorn magnet  118  is located on or proximate to the engagement surface  144 . For example, the shoehorn magnet  118  may be located just below the surface of the engagement surface  144 , close to where the engagement surface  144  meets with the ridge  146  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). Preferably, the ridge  146  is offset from the engagement surface  144  by a relatively small amount (in the range of from 0 to 4 millimeters). 
     When the shoehorn portion  102  is attached to the attachment portion  104 , the attachment magnet  140  preferably engages the shoehorn magnet  118  on the engagement surface  144 . Because of the presence of the ridge  146 , lateral movement of the shoehorn portion  102  in direction A (shown in  FIG. 11 ) is prevented because the ridge  146  would abut against the body portion  138  of the attachment portion  104 . Therefore, in order to detach the shoehorn magnet  118  from the attachment magnet  140 , the shoehorn magnet  118  must be pulled away from the attachment magnet  140  (in direction B). This will generally require greater force than if the shoehorn magnet  118  was to be detached from the attachment magnet  140  through simply sliding the shoehorn magnet  118  away from the attachment magnet  140 . As a result, it is less likely that the shoehorn magnet  118  will be accidentally or unintentionally detached from the attachment magnet  140 . In addition, this will allow for smaller (and less powerful magnets to be used for the shoehorn magnet  118  and/or attachment magnet  140 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 12 , the shoehorn magnet  118  may be an electromagnet  148 . In this embodiment, the shoehorn portion  102  further comprises a power source  150  and a switch  152 . The switch  152  is preferably located on the handle  110  such that the user  10  can easily access it. The power source  150  may be a battery or any other suitable power source. The switch  152  may be a push-button, a toggle switch, or any other suitable type of electrical switch. The power source  150 , the switch  152 , and the electromagnet  148  are electrically connected together. By closing the switch  152 , the electromagnet  148  receives power and is activated. The shoehorn portion  102  can then be used as described above. By opening the switch  152 , the electromagnet  148  will no longer receive power and will be deactivated. 
     In another embodiment, referring to  FIG. 12A , the attachment and detachment of the shoehorn magnet  118  to the attachment magnet  140  may be facilitated via a mechanical locking and/or release mechanism. For example, with respect to a locking mechanism, the first surface  116  may comprise one or more prongs  160  that engage with the body portion  138 . The prongs  160  may be mechanically actuated (e.g. by springs or other suitable means) to selectively engage or disengage with the body portion  138 . This selective engagement and disengagement may be controlled by the user  10  through a control mechanism  162 , which may include a trigger, a push-button, a slider, or some other suitable control means. 
     Similarly, with respect to a release mechanism, the prongs  160  may be configured to push the body portion  138  away from the shoehorn magnet  118 , thereby facilitating the release of the shoehorn magnet  118  from the attachment magnet  140 . The prongs  160  may also be mechanically actuated (e.g. by springs or other suitable means). This release mechanism may also be controlled by the user  10  through the control mechanism  162 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , the attachment magnet  140  may be directly attached to the tongue  14 , without the need for the clip  122 . In this embodiment, the shoe  16  may be manufactured to incorporate one or more attachment magnets  140  inside of the tongue  14 . 
       FIGS. 14 to 16  show another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the assembly  200  comprises shoehorn portion  202  and one or more attachment portions  204 . As with the previous embodiments, the shoehorn portion  202  comprises one or more shoehorn magnets  218  on or proximate to first surface  216 , and the attachment portion  204  comprises one or more attachment magnets  240  on or proximate to outer surface  242 . However, the first surface  216  also comprises a first inclined surface  260  extending from the first surface  216 . The first inclined surface  260  is designed to engage with a second inclined surface  262  present on the attachment portion  204 . The respective first and second inclined surfaces  260 ,  262  help to create a more secure engagement of the shoehorn portion  202  with the attachment portion  204  than in the previous embodiments. 
     Operation of the assembly  200  is similar to that of the previous embodiments. The user  10  positions the shoehorn portion  202  approximately above the attachment portion  204 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The magnetic attraction between one of the shoehorn magnets  218  and one of the attachment magnets  240  causes the shoehorn portion  202  to tend to adhere to the attachment portion  204 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , once adhered, when the user  10  pulls on the shoehorn portion  202  in a generally horizontal direction (i.e. direction C) towards the rear of the shoe  16 , the first surface  216  of the shoehorn portion  202  will slide along the outer surface  242  of the attachment portion  204  until the first inclined surface  260  engages with the second inclined surface  262  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). Once engaged, the shoehorn portion  202  will not allow any further sliding movement of the first surface  216  along the outer surface  242  in direction C. In other words, the shoehorn portion  202  will resist any further pulling of it away from the shoe  16 . In addition, because of the geometry of the first and second inclined surfaces  260 ,  262 , vertical movement of the shoehorn portion  202  (i.e. in direction D) away from the attachment portion  204  is also resisted. 
     As with the previous embodiment, the user  10  can now insert the foot  20  partway into the shoe  16 . Then, in order to detach the shoehorn portion  202  from the attachment portion  204 , the user  10  can push the shoehorn portion  202  towards the front of the shoe  16  (as shown in  FIG. 16 ). The first surface  260  will slide along outer surface  242  in the direction E shown in  FIG. 16 . When the shoehorn magnet  218  has slid past the attachment magnet  240 , the magnetic attraction will have weakened sufficiently that the shoehorn portion  202  can be easily detached from the attachment portion  204 . 
     Alternatively, the shoehorn portion  202  can also be detached from the attachment portion  204  by twisting the shoehorn portion  202  generally about its longitudinal axis x. By doing so, the twisting force should be sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the shoehorn magnet  218  and the attachment magnet  240  and the physical engagement of the first and second inclined surfaces  260 ,  262 . 
     Once the shoehorn portion  202  has been detached from the attachment portion  204 , the shoehorn portion  202  can be used in its conventional manner to assist in inserting the heel  12  into the shoe  16 . 
     In addition to be used to assist the user  10  in putting on footwear, the shoehorn portion  102  can also be used to pick up magnetic objections on the ground, without requiring the user  10  to bend over. 
     The assembly  100  may also be used in other applications. For example, the attachment portions  104  may be attached to curtains or blinds. The shoehorn portion  102  can then be attached to the attachment portion  104  (as described above) to move or manipulate the curtains or blinds. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments have been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.