Method for maintaining the appearance and integrity of kilties that adorn men's and women's dress shoes

Abstract

Men's and Women's shoes are sometimes adorn with kilties. A kiltie is a long slashed tongue on boots and shoes; kitties are generally made of leather. Due to wear and aging the kiltie tends to curl up, this device will restore the kiltie to its original appearance applying pressure from the top due to the hinging mechanism, also restoring the tassels to their original appearance. This invention can be attached to existing plastic or cedar shoetrees during manufacturing or by the consumer. This invention is to be used during shoe storage.

1 . A device to prevent curling of kilties on men's and women's shoes, comprising: 
 a. A pre-shaped device known as the “Kiltie Shaper” that clamps down upon and covers the top of the kitties.    b. Said Kiltie Shaper is attached to a hinging mechanism to maintain appropriate pressure on the kitties during shoe storage.    c. Said hinging mechanism attaches to a pre-shaped handle via an adjustable slide mechanism.    d. Said handle attaches to standard commercial shoetrees.    
   
   
       2 . The invention described in  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. Said pre-shaped Kiltie Shaper is formed from plastic    
   
   
       3 . The invention as described in  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. Said pre-shaped Kiltie Shaper is formed from leather or fabric    
   
   
       4 . The invention as described in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a. Said pre-shaped handle attaches to wooden shoetrees.    
   
   
       5 . The invention as described in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a. Said pre-shaped handle attaches to plastic shoetrees.    
   
   
       6 . The invention as described in claims  1 - 5  with a tassels holder attached above the Kiltie Shaper device.  
   
   
       7 . A method to prevent curling of kitties on men's and women's shoes, comprising the following steps; 
 a. Attaching the Kiltie Saver device to a standard wooden or plastic shoe tree, and    b. Placing the shoetree with the device attached inside the shoe during storage, and    c. Working the hinging mechanism in a manner that brings the Kiltie Shaper down on top of the kiltie, and    d. Storing the shoe in an area conducive to shoe preservation and maintenance.    
   
   
       8 . A method to restore kitties on men's and women's shoes to their original shape, comprising the following steps: 
 a. Attaching the Kiltie Saver device to a standard wooden or plastic shoe tree, and    b. Placing the shoetree with the device attached inside the shoe during storage, and    c. Working the hinging mechanism in a manner that brings the Kiltie Shaper down on top of the kiltie, and    d. Storing the shoe in an area conducive to shoe preservation and maintenance.