Patent Publication Number: US-2016227925-A1

Title: Space efficient boot hanger

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS DATA 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/594,140, filed Jan. 11, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,125,487, issued 8 Sep. 2015. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of foot ware storage devices and especially boot storage devices for relatively large numbers of boots, and the boot storage devices are sufficient space efficient that they may be hung on supports and in closets. 
     2. Background of the Art 
     Foot ware are essential items in a modern society, providing both function in protecting the feet of the user and providing essential style to the dress appearance of the user. Boots tend to be either more functional (as industrial or work strength protective foot ware, as equestrian riding apparel, as climbing apparel, as hiking apparel and the like) or even a stronger fashion statement for decorative purposes. 
     The majority of existing boot supports have the boots supported by grasping exterior portions of the boots, such as the boot straps, the boot heels and/or the exterior soles of the shoes. Examples of these structures are U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,715 (Celli); U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,615 (Zigman); and U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,572 (Shackel). Other systems provide essentially linear and upward facing supports that may poke into the material of the boot or support the boot against an interior surface with a single forward point of contact against the toe of the boot. Examples of these systems are U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,094 (Schoen); U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,962 (Arias); U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,871 (Chan); U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,871 (Mengel); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,481 (Christian). These documents are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Improvements in space-conserving boot storage is still desirable, and is offered in the practice of the present novel technology enabled herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A transportable boot storage hanger designed for space-efficient and low-wear storage of multiple boots may have:
         a) a topmost support engaging element;   b) a first vertical support rod having a top end engaged with the topmost support element and a lower portion of the first vertical support rod engaged with a hanger connecting element;   c) the hanger engaging element having an opening into which a multiple boot hanging frame is removably inserted or permanently attached;   d) the multiple boot hanging frame having at least two major outward arms extending away from the opening;   e) each of the at least two major arms having a vertical arm and a sole support element angle upwardly away from the first vertical support rod; and   f) the sole support element having a top toe support stem and a lower heel support stem.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a boot hanger system according to the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a boot hanger system according to the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an eight hanger, dual level boot hanger system according to the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present technology relates to a transportable boot storage hanger designed for space-efficient and low-wear storage of multiple boots. By transportable is meant that the hanger may be carried from closet to support rod and hung without disassembly, and with or without boots being supported on the hanger. The hanger may be supported on any support surface, even beyond closets and rods, such as door frames, ceiling hooks and the like, merely by appropriate configuration of the hooking element at the top of the hanger. The hanger or hanger system may have components generally described as:
         a) a topmost support engaging element;   b) a first vertical support rod having a top end engaged with the topmost support element and a lower portion of the first vertical support rod engaged with a hanger connecting element;   c) the hanger engaging element having an opening into which a multiple boot hanging frame is removably inserted or permanently attached (it may be permanently attached by being part of an initially molded structure, adhesively secured therein, or fused to the other portions of the structure);   d) the multiple boot hanging frame having at least two major outward arms extending away from the opening;   e) each of the at least two major arms (e.g., 3 or 4 and even 6 are useful) having a vertical arm and a sole support element angle upwardly away from the first vertical support rod; and   f) the sole support element having a top toe support stem and a lower heel support stem.       

     The structural components and elements (hooks, rods, stems, arms, supports and the like) should be made of materials with both rigidity (so that weight of boots will not cause elements to break or in elastically deform) and resistance to elongation, yet be relatively lightweight. Structural materials such as metals (including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and the like), polymeric materials (e.g., high density polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamides, silicone resins, vinyl resins, and the like) and composite materials are preferred, even though many structural materials might also be suitable. It is desirable that the materials in the construction minimize moisture retention in the hanger system. Even strong materials such as balsa wood would therefore be less desirable because of its moisture absorbance. Highly polished and finished woods would be acceptable with regard to that moisture issue. The arms may be positioned or event adjustable to present angles between the arms and their respective support elements and/or the hanger system itself. The angle should be upward (above ninety degrees from the horizontal, but less than vertical, unless the arm was supported by an extension away from the vertical support rods. Angles of from 100 degrees to 170 degrees are a reasonable general range for the angle of the upward extending arms, 
     The multiple boot hanging frame may be configured to swivel or be rigidly fixed in a position while being retained within the hanging engaging element. The hanger may have the multiple boot hanging element with two, three or four or more major outward arms. The second vertical support rod may be engaged with and extend below the hanger engaging element, and a lower portion of the second vertical support rod may be engaged with a second hanger connecting element. A second multiple boot hanging frame may be engaged with the second hanger connecting element. The second multiple boot hanging frame my include at least a second two major outward arms extending away from the second vertical support rod. Each of the at least second two major arms may include a second two vertical arms and each of the second two vertical arms having a sole support element angled upwardly away from the second vertical support rod. The sole support elements are relatively upwardly oriented, for example, forming a ten degree to eighty degree angle with the vertical arms, or preferably a twenty to seventy degree angle away from the vertical support rod, or more preferably from thirty to sixty degrees away from the vertical support rod and the vertical arms. The sole support could be at zero degrees in elevation, but this is less desirable. The sole support may also be hinged to the vertical support rod so that the angle is adjustable, as from 0 (or fewer) degrees to vertical or less (e.g., 80 degrees). The sole (sole of the boots) support element may have a top toe support stem and a lower heel support stem. The second (as with the first or independently from the first) multiple boot hanging frame may be configured to swivel while being retained within the hanging engaging element. As with the first multiple boot hanging element, the second multiple boot hanging element may have at least two, three, four or more major outward arms. The second multiple boot hanging frame may be engaged with the second hanger connecting element, the second multiple boot hanging frame may have at least a second two major outward arms extending away from the second vertical support rod, each of the at least second two major arms comprises a second two vertical arms and each of the second two vertical arms comprise a sole support element angled upwardly away from the second vertical support rod and the sole support element comprises a top toe support stem and a lower heel support stem. 
     The second multiple boot hanging frame may also be configured to swivel while being retained within the hanging engaging element. 
     Reference to the Figures will provide further understanding of the present technology. 
       FIG. 1  shows a front view of a two hanger arm support hanger system  100 . The two hanger arm support hanger system  100  is shown with a top hook  120 , a topmost support element  118  having an opening, a first vertical support rod  102 , a second topmost support element  114  having a top and bottom ridge (forming an opening) that engages and secures a hanger connecting element into which a multiple boot hanging frame  104  is removably inserted or permanently attached (the permanent attachment may be made in the initial structure by having the two elements molded as a single unit, of the two separate units may be fused\, soldered or adhesively secured into a permanent configuration). Ends of the multiple boot hanging frame  104  extends into vertical arms  122  and  122   a  which in turn extend into the sole support element angle upwardly away from the first vertical support rod sole support elements  106  which angle upwardly away (shown with about 70 to 20 degree angles from the first vertical support rod  102  and the arms  122  and  122   a.  A second vertical support rod  102   a  is shown extending from below the second topmost support element  114  to the third support element  114   a  having upper  116   a  and lower sole support element angle upwardly away from the first vertical support rod  102 . The second topmost support element  114  supports a second vertical support rod  102   a  which extends downward to another support element  114   a  which includes swiveling support elements  116   c  and  116   d  that supports a second multiple boot hanging frame  104   a  with vertical arms  122   b  and  122   c  with respective sole support elements  106   a.    
     As noted on the sole support elements  106  there may be a distinct toe stop or toe support element  108  and a distinct heel stop or heel support element  112 . These two stops  108 ,  112  may be relatively horizontal (to the ground and approximately parallel to the multiple boot hanging arm  104 ) and may be adjustable, flexible or may telescope to gently support the respective elements of the boot. The stops may be formed of less rigid materials or comprise a cover that is less likely to damage interior surfaces of the boot when it is slid over the sole support  106  and the sole of the boot rests on the top surface  110  thereon. The stops can be substantive enough in length and materials to enable effective support and protection within the boot. The stops, for example, may be from 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, 2,0 or more inches in length, and may be at least 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and at least 1.0 inches in width. Rubber, soft fabric or other lower abrasive socks or covers may be provided over the stops or the entire support element. Lower abrasion producing coatings may also be applied over the supports and/or stops, such as silicone polymers, polyurethane polymers, elastomeric polymers, polyvinyl resins, poly(fluorinated hydrocarbon) polymers such as Teflon® polymer or Kevlar® polymers may be used. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a two hanger arm support hanger system  200 . The perspective view shows a hooking attachment element  220 , the two, same axis vertical rods  202  and  202   a,  the hanging frame  204 , the vertical arms  222  and  222   a , the sole support element  208  (on arm  222 ), the top  218  and mid- 214  and lower  224  support elements. Lower boot support vertical arms  222   b  and  222   c  are also shown. A rotating component  228  engaging the top support element  218  is also shown. The ability of the internal rotation of components allows for easier access to individual boots or boot pairs by changing the alignment of the various hanger elements and/or hanger segments. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a two hanger arm support hanger system  300  having four arms  322   a,    322   b,    322   c  and  322   d  on the top hanger  322 , with the hooking attachment element  320 , the two, same axis vertical rods  302  and  302   a , the hanging four-arm frame  304 , the vertical arms  322   a,    322   b,    322   c  and  322   d,  the sole support element  308  (on arm  322   a ), the top  318  and mid- 314  and lower  342  support elements. A lower hanger element structure  340  with the second array of four arms and sole supports is also shown, along with a rigid lower support element  342 . Both the top  318  and mid-  316  support elements are shown with rotating (swiveling) engaging elements  328  and  318 , respectively. 
     Further stacking or hanging of additional components such as shown by  340 , with or without swiveling engaging elements as in  328  and  338  may be further present in the system. 
     It is to be noted that spacing between arms may be preferably different as shown in  FIG. 3 , where the spacing between arms  322   a  and  322   b  is smaller than between arms  322   b  and  322   c,  which may represent a distinction between pairs of boots, but more importantly reduces the width (e.g., between arms  322   a  and  322   b ) so that when the hangar systems (e.g.,  300 ) are placed in a hanger, minimal width on a hanger pole (not shown) will be used. The dimensions between mid-points on the sole supports  308  on arms  322   a  and  322   b  should be between 6 inches to 12 inches, and the distances between mid-points in the sole supports  308  on arms  322   b  and  322   c  should be at least 30% greater. This differential can be accomplished or accentuated easily by the opposing curvatures illustrated on lower arms  322   e,    322   f ,  322   g  and  322   h  with forward turning curvatures  350  directing respective sole supports  308  to be parallel with each other and the opposed direction of curvatures  352  making the attached respective sole supports  308  parallel with each other at the rear of the hangar system  300 . 
     The stacking of the hanger elements on which the arms are supported (these are called hanger segments) can be done with as few as two hanger segments, and depending upon the height of the rod or hook or frame from which they depend, there may be three, four, five or even six hanger segments with at least two arms each, and preferably four or more arms on each hanger segment. 
     This design will also tend to reduce wear during storage as the sole support can be shaped (e.g., flattened, padded (with a sleeve), cushioned (with an adhesive applied cushioning insert) and supports only the weight of an individual boot. Although a few other boot support hangers have boots held sole up, their preferred overall design with the arms parallel for a pair of boots, the sole supports close to horizontal with the ground while the arms are close to perpendicular (to conserve space) makes the entire system a significant advance over other known constructions. 
     By having the boots support by the interior sole of the boot, stress is not put on visible exterior portions of the boot (e.g., boot strap holders, heel clip holders, wire exterior boot supports and the like) that can damage the observable exterior of the boot. 
     Other alternative materials and dimensions may be used by one skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosed and enabled technology and the claimed invention. For example, the hanger system could have a pin or engaging element at its bottom that could be inserted into a wheeled base to make the system moveable along a floor, or a static stand that is relatively immobile.