Device to allow the washing of footwear inside washing machines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device to allow the washing in washing machines of footwear in general, particularly sport footwear. According to the essential aspects of the present invention, the device comprises means ( 1; 201; 301; 401 ) designed to allow to hang at least one shoe on the drum of the washing machine so that the shoe can be washed maintaining substantially the position corresponding to where it hangs.

1 . A device to allow the washing in washing machine of footwear in general, particularly sport footwear, the device comprising:
 a means for hanging up at least one shoe on the drum of the washing machine, so that said shoe can be washed substantially maintaining the position corresponding to where said shoe hangs, that is a position in which the shoe is spaced from the drum, said means comprising at least one hanging unit able to be inserted inside the shoe to be washed, said at least one hanging unit being associated to said drum so as to rigidly rotate with said drum in use.   
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hanging unit comprises a part defining a surface facing the sole of the shoe when inserted inside the shoe said surface of the hanging unit facing the axis of rotation of the drum in use, thus allowing, during rotation, water outflow from the sole of the shoe toward an upper portion of said shoe. 
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hanging unit comprises a shoetree or a foot shape or shoe shape, designed to be inserted inside the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises:
 at least one supporting element comprising a fixing means for fixing, in use, said supporting element on the outline of the drum such that said at least one supporting element rotates rigidly when the drum rotates;   a hanging means for hanging up at least one shoe on said supporting element such that the shoe can be washed maintaining substantially the position corresponding to the corresponding support on which said at least one shoe hangs.   
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said hanging means comprises in combination at least one seat obtained in correspondence of said at least one supporting element and said at least one hanging unit for footwear destined to be coupled, in use, to said seat in a releasable manner. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one hanging unit comprises a snap pin, connected to a shoetree or the equivalent, to be inserted inside the shoe and a means for securing said shoe to the shoetree. 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one supporting element is firmly connected to a frame designed in such a way to constrain said supporting element against the surface of the drum. 
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the frame comprises three rods rigidly connected to three supporting elements through three cradles. 
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said three rods are configured in the frame according to a star arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said three rods are configured in the frame according to a triangle arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said rods comprises a first portion and a second portion assembled reciprocally movable. 
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are respectively hinged so as to be reciprocally foldable, said second portion comprising a threaded collar, on which a sleeve can be screwed, assembled slidable on said first portion so as to close the hinge and to block the at least one of said rods. 
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are assembled in a telescopic manner. 
     
     
         14 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said supporting element comprises magnetic elements to engage, in use, said supporting element on the outline of the drum. 
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises a unit configured to couple directly to the drum of the washing machine. 
     
     
         16 . A device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said unit comprises a bayonet joint and at least one shoetree or the like able to be inserted inside the shoe. 
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said shoetree or the like is provided with a plurality of through holes for water passage. 
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said shoetree or the like is hollow inside, wherein a plurality of through holes for water passage are present on a thickness of said shoetree, said plurality of through holes communicating between a cavity and the outside of the shoetree. 
     
     
         19 . A drum for a washing machine, comprising:
 a device comprising a means for hanging up at least one shoe on the drum of the washing machine, so that said shoe can be washed substantially maintaining the position corresponding to where said shoe hangs, that is a position in which the shoe is spaced from the drum, said means comprising at least one hanging unit able to be inserted inside the shoe to be washed, said at least one hanging unit being associated to said drum so as to rigidly rotate with said drum, wherein said means comprises a unit configured to couple directly to the drum, said drum being pre-arranged so that said unit can connect to the drum through a bayonet joint or the like.   
     
     
         20 . A drum for the washing machine as in  claim 19 , wherein said unit comprises said bayonet joint and at least one shoetree to be inserted into the shoe. 
     
     
         21 . A drum for the washing machine as in  claim 19 , wherein said unit comprises at least a shoetree, said shoetree being provided with a plurality of through holes for water passage. 
     
     
         22 . A drum for the washing machine as in  claim 19 , wherein said unit comprises at least a shoetree, said shoetree being hollow inside, wherein a plurality of through holes are present on a thickness of said shoetree for water passage, said plurality of through holes communicating between a cavity and the outside of said shoetree.