Boot hanger systems and methods
OwnerAndrew J. Elsteininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a boot hanger and a boot hanger system and methods that provide for storage of boots. In an example, a boot hanger apparatus comprises an upper suspension portion and a boot support leg, wherein the upper suspension portion and boot support leg are connected by a counterbalance. The counterbalance is provided to control rotation and preferably to maintain a target slope angle Θ when a suspended boot hanger contains boots in a loaded condition. Further provided are coupler apparatus for forming a series of connected boot hangers suspended along a common vertical axis. In some examples, the boot hanger includes a hook-shaped suspension portion for attachment to a suspension apparatus such as a rod or a coupler within a series of connected boot hangers.
Claims18
A boot hanger system for hanging boots, the boot hanger system comprising:
- at least two boot hanger apparatuses, each boot hanger apparatus for hanging respective first and second boots, each boot having an instep and a foot insertion opening, each of the boot hanger apparatuses comprising:
- an upper suspension portion;
- left and right boot support legs, each of the left and right boot support legs having an upturned foot portion configured to support the boot by the instep when the support leg is inserted into the boot;
- and
- wherein the upper suspension portion and boot support leg are connected by a counterbalance, such that when the boot support leg is inserted into the boot and the boot support leg is suspended using the upper suspension portion, the boot is swingingly suspended in an off-vertical position with the upturned foot portion angled upward;
- and
- a coupler, comprising:
- a first engagement portion configured to engage with at least one of a first boot hanger apparatus from the at least two boot hanger apparatuses and a suspension apparatus;
- and
- a second engagement portion configured to engage with a second boot hanger apparatus from the at least two boot hanger apparatuses, such that the first boot hanger is suspended above the second boot hanger when a boot is swingingly suspended on the first boot hanger and a boot is swingingly suspended on the second boot hanger;
- wherein the distance between the first and second engagement portions of the coupler is such that the vertical distance between a boot support leg of the first boot hanger apparatus and a corresponding boot support leg of the second boot hanger apparatus when engaged with the coupler is less than the length of the boot support legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.