Title:
BOOT RACK
United States Patent 3762573
Abstract:
A boot rack consisting of a plurality of parallel spaced bars supported on lets above a drip tray.
US Patent References:
Means for facilitating the production of footwear by factory methods
Dressel - October 1929 - 1731738
Shoe rack
Glidden - January 1941 - 2228453
Trackway work station rack combination
Joyce - January 1945 - 2367218
Overshoe storage rack
Neuwirth - March 1960 - 2928549
BOOT RACK
Chiodo - June 1971 - 3589522
Means for facilitating the production of footwear by factory methods
Dressel - October 1929 - 1731738
Shoe rack
Glidden - January 1941 - 2228453
Trackway work station rack combination
Joyce - January 1945 - 2367218
Overshoe storage rack
Neuwirth - March 1960 - 2928549
BOOT RACK
Chiodo - June 1971 - 3589522
Inventors:
Collins, Mary M. (Marlboro, MA)
Collins, James E. (Marlboro, MA)
Collins, James E. (Marlboro, MA)
Application Number:
05/151769
Publication Date:
10/02/1973
Filing Date:
06/10/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A47F7/08; A47F7/08
Field of Search:
211/34,13,41,133
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Byers Jr., Nile C.
Claims:
The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is
1. A boot rack for storing wet boots, comprising:
2. A boot rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the legs are formed of solid rod material and are generally U-shaped.
3. A boot rack as recited in claim 2, wherein each leg consists of two spaced, parallel vertical portions joined by a gently curved transition portion to an arched junction portion.
1. A boot rack for storing wet boots, comprising:
2. A boot rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the legs are formed of solid rod material and are generally U-shaped.
3. A boot rack as recited in claim 2, wherein each leg consists of two spaced, parallel vertical portions joined by a gently curved transition portion to an arched junction portion.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A substantial problem is presented in homes and in offices during the wintertime, particularly because of the presence of wet boots and other shoe-covering equipment. Even if protecting trays and the like are used in the areas where the boots are stored, nevertheless, the boots do not dry out because they lie in the wrong aspect for drainage. Furthermore, the appearance of a large number of boots stacked in a corner of a house is not satisfactory. Attempts have been made in the past to provide for the storage of wet, icy, and snowy boots and shoes but, in most cases, these devices have been less than perfectly satisfactory. In many cases, they have been complicated and expensive or capable of storing only a limited number of boots. They have been subject to deterioration due to water and chemicals. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a boot rack capable of storing a large number of boots and the like so that they will quickly dry.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a boot rack for storing a plurality of boots neatly.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a boot rack which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of deterioration due to corrosion.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a rack for the storage of boots, shoes, and the like, which is compact and which stores the articles for a compact appearance and for ease of drainage of melted snow and the like.
With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the invention consists of a boot rack comprising an upper element made up of a plurality of spaced parallel rods. U-shaped legs are demountably attached to the upper member to hold it above a drainage tray having a raised periphery for the storage of drippings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot rack embodying the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the rack taken on the line II--II of FIG. 2, and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partly sectioned view of a portion of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the boot rack, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as consisting of an upper member 11 supported in a raised position above a tray 12 by a pair of legs 13 and 14.
The upper member 11 is generally rectangular in conformation, one side being defined by a tubular bar 15 having downwardly-depending stubs 16 and 17 at its ends.
At the other side of the upper member 11 is located a tubular bar 18 having at its ends downwardly-dependent stubs 17 and 21. The bars 15 and 18 are spaced and in parallel; between them extends a plurality of solid rods 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, whose ends are welded to the bars 15 and 18 so that they lie in spaced parallel relationship. Finally, a solid rod 28 extends across the undersides of the rods and is welded to them midway between the bar 15 and the bar 18.
The leg 13 is formed of a solid rod and is provided with a vertical portion 29 which slips into the end of the tubular stub 16, while another vertical portion 31 slips into the tubular stub 17 of the upper member 11. Midway between the vertical portions 29 and 31 the leg 13 is provided with a generally arch-shaped intermediate portion 32. The ends of the portions 32 being joined to the vertical portions 29 and 31, respectively, by gently curved transition portions 33 and 34. The leg 14 is similar to the leg 13 in that it is generally U-shaped and has vertical portions which fit into the tubular stubs 19 and 21 of the bar 18.
As is best evident in FIG. 2, the tray 12 is formed of plastic and is provided with a generally square bottom 35 whose periphery is provided with an upwardly-extending flange 36 to prevent the run-off of drippings.
FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the vertical portion 29 of the leg 13 is inserted into the tubular stub 16 of the bar 15.
The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood in view of the above description. The upper member 11 is assembled with the legs 13 and 14, the vertical portions of each leg being inserted into the tubular stubs 16, 17, 19, and 21 associated with the upper member. This ability to dis-assemble and assemble is provided for ease in packaging, shipping and storage. The upper member 11 with the legs 13 and 14 assembled is placed in the center of the tray 12 and the assemblage is located in the home or office adjacent the entrance. When the user has removed his boots, he places them upside down in the boot rack. This is done in the manner shown in FIG. 1 for the boot B, the tubular portion of the boot lying between two rods 22 and 23, with the open upper end facing downwardly toward the tray 12. The boot is wet or is covered with snow and ice which, eventually, will melt; this water will run down into the tray. When the boot is supported upside down in this manner, there is no area in which water can accumulate and remain; even snow and water on the interior of the boot will melt and run down into the tray from which it can be removed from time to time. The rack can be used in the summertime for the storage in a neat manner of a large number of the tall women's boots which are so much in vogue at the present time. When the rack is designed for use with such boots which generally have a very long leg portion, it may be desirable to make the legs 13 and 14 quite long, so that the boot does not strike the tray.
It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.
A substantial problem is presented in homes and in offices during the wintertime, particularly because of the presence of wet boots and other shoe-covering equipment. Even if protecting trays and the like are used in the areas where the boots are stored, nevertheless, the boots do not dry out because they lie in the wrong aspect for drainage. Furthermore, the appearance of a large number of boots stacked in a corner of a house is not satisfactory. Attempts have been made in the past to provide for the storage of wet, icy, and snowy boots and shoes but, in most cases, these devices have been less than perfectly satisfactory. In many cases, they have been complicated and expensive or capable of storing only a limited number of boots. They have been subject to deterioration due to water and chemicals. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a boot rack capable of storing a large number of boots and the like so that they will quickly dry.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a boot rack for storing a plurality of boots neatly.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a boot rack which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of deterioration due to corrosion.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a rack for the storage of boots, shoes, and the like, which is compact and which stores the articles for a compact appearance and for ease of drainage of melted snow and the like.
With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the invention consists of a boot rack comprising an upper element made up of a plurality of spaced parallel rods. U-shaped legs are demountably attached to the upper member to hold it above a drainage tray having a raised periphery for the storage of drippings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot rack embodying the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the rack taken on the line II--II of FIG. 2, and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partly sectioned view of a portion of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the boot rack, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as consisting of an upper member 11 supported in a raised position above a tray 12 by a pair of legs 13 and 14.
The upper member 11 is generally rectangular in conformation, one side being defined by a tubular bar 15 having downwardly-depending stubs 16 and 17 at its ends.
At the other side of the upper member 11 is located a tubular bar 18 having at its ends downwardly-dependent stubs 17 and 21. The bars 15 and 18 are spaced and in parallel; between them extends a plurality of solid rods 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, whose ends are welded to the bars 15 and 18 so that they lie in spaced parallel relationship. Finally, a solid rod 28 extends across the undersides of the rods and is welded to them midway between the bar 15 and the bar 18.
The leg 13 is formed of a solid rod and is provided with a vertical portion 29 which slips into the end of the tubular stub 16, while another vertical portion 31 slips into the tubular stub 17 of the upper member 11. Midway between the vertical portions 29 and 31 the leg 13 is provided with a generally arch-shaped intermediate portion 32. The ends of the portions 32 being joined to the vertical portions 29 and 31, respectively, by gently curved transition portions 33 and 34. The leg 14 is similar to the leg 13 in that it is generally U-shaped and has vertical portions which fit into the tubular stubs 19 and 21 of the bar 18.
As is best evident in FIG. 2, the tray 12 is formed of plastic and is provided with a generally square bottom 35 whose periphery is provided with an upwardly-extending flange 36 to prevent the run-off of drippings.
FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the vertical portion 29 of the leg 13 is inserted into the tubular stub 16 of the bar 15.
The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood in view of the above description. The upper member 11 is assembled with the legs 13 and 14, the vertical portions of each leg being inserted into the tubular stubs 16, 17, 19, and 21 associated with the upper member. This ability to dis-assemble and assemble is provided for ease in packaging, shipping and storage. The upper member 11 with the legs 13 and 14 assembled is placed in the center of the tray 12 and the assemblage is located in the home or office adjacent the entrance. When the user has removed his boots, he places them upside down in the boot rack. This is done in the manner shown in FIG. 1 for the boot B, the tubular portion of the boot lying between two rods 22 and 23, with the open upper end facing downwardly toward the tray 12. The boot is wet or is covered with snow and ice which, eventually, will melt; this water will run down into the tray. When the boot is supported upside down in this manner, there is no area in which water can accumulate and remain; even snow and water on the interior of the boot will melt and run down into the tray from which it can be removed from time to time. The rack can be used in the summertime for the storage in a neat manner of a large number of the tall women's boots which are so much in vogue at the present time. When the rack is designed for use with such boots which generally have a very long leg portion, it may be desirable to make the legs 13 and 14 quite long, so that the boot does not strike the tray.
It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.