Device for retaining shape of shoe

Abstract

A device for retaining the shape of a shoe includes a tapering base member having an arch cross section and a shoe expansion member defining a cavity removably receiving the base member therein. The base member has opposite side walls and an arcuated top wall defining a groove in which a stair-like configuration is formed, having a first number of steps. The side walls of the base member each form first serration. The shoe expansion member has a bottom in which the cavity is defined and a top side configured to closely fit into a shoe for retaining the shape of the shoe. The cavity is defined by opposite side walls and a top wall. The top wall of the cavity has a stair-like structure having a second number of steps. The side walls of the cavity form second serration. The stair-like structure of the cavity is at least partially engageable with and supported by the stair-like configuration of the top wall of the base member. The second serrations are engageable with the first serrations for securely fixing the shoe expansion member with respect to the base member. An additional shoe expansion member may be selectively included. The additional shoe expansion member may be of different sizes and shapes for replacing the original shoe expansion member to be fit for shoes of different sizes and shapes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for retaining shape of a shoe comprising: 
 a base member having a tapering configuration with an arch cross section having an arcuated top wall, a groove being defined in the top wall with a stair-like configuration having a first number of steps formed therein; and    a shoe expansion member having a bottom defining a cavity and a top having a configuration adapted to closely fit into a shoe for retaining a shape of the shoe, the cavity being defined by opposite side walls and an arcuated top wall corresponding to the cross section of the base member, the top wall comprising a stair-like structure having a second number of steps, the stair-like structure of the cavity being at least partially engageable with and supported by the stair-like configuration of the base member.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base member has opposite side walls corresponding to the side walls of the cavity of the shoe expansion member, each side wall of the base member defining first serration, each side wall of the cavity defining second serration, the first and second serrations being engageable with each other for securely fixing the shoe expansion member to the base member.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe expansion member defines slits therein for resilient deformation of the shoe expansion member.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an additional shoe expansion member having a different size, the additional shoe expansion member being replaceable with the shoe expansion member, the additional shoe expansion member defining a cavity having a top wall comprising a stair-like structure, the stair-like structure of the additional shoe expansion member having a third number of steps, the third number being different from the second number.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an additional shoe expansion member having a different shape adapted to retain a shape of a different shoe.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second number is identical to the first number.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base member has a variable cross-sectional area gradually reduced from a rear end to a front end.