Storage and display systems for footwear

Abstract

Inserts for boots are configured to retain the shape of the boot during storage and/or display of the boots. In some examples, an insert includes a resilient sheet and a hanging mechanism. The hanging mechanism is configured to allow selective suspension of a boot. The resilient sheet is configured to be moveable between an unrolled position, a rolled boot insertion position, and a rolled boot supporting position where at least a portion of an outer wall of the resilient sheet is abutted to at least a portion of an inner surface of the boot. In some further examples, insert includes a sleeve that substantially covers the resilient sheet.

1 . An insert for a boot, the insert configured to retain a shape of the boot during one or more of storage and display of the boot, the boot having a sole, a vamp, and a shaft, the insert comprising:
 a resilient sheet, the resilient sheet being configured to be moveable between:
 an unrolled position, 
 a rolled boot insertion position where the resilient sheet has a first roll diameter, and 
 a rolled boot supporting position where the resilient sheet has a second roll diameter, the first roll diameter being less than the second roll diameter; and 
   a hanging mechanism, the hanging mechanism configured to allow selective suspension of the boot,   wherein at least a portion of an outer wall of the resilient sheet is abutted to at least a portion of an inner surface of the shaft in the rolled boot supporting position.   
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient sheet is biased toward the unrolled position. 
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein in the rolled boot supporting position, the resilient sheet is configured to provide an outward force on at least the portion of the inner surface of the vamp abutted by the outer wall of the resilient sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve for substantially covering the resilient sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 4 , wherein a periphery of the resilient sheet has an upper sheet edge and an opposing lower sheet edge and a periphery of the sleeve has an upper sleeve edge and an opposing lower sleeve edge, the upper sleeve edge being aligned with the upper sheet edge and the lower sleeve edge being aligned with the lower sheet edge, and
 in the rolled boot supporting position, the lower sheet edge is proximal to the vamp and the upper sheet edge is proximal to a top of the shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 5 , wherein the hanging mechanism is attached to one or more of the upper sheet edge and the upper sleeve edge. 
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the hanging mechanism comprises an elongate strap, the elongate strap having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongate strap further having a coupling mechanism for coupling the first end to the second end to form a loop. 
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 7 , wherein the loop is configured to receive one or more of a rod and a hook. 
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first coupling partner on the first end of the elongate strap and a second coupling partner on the second end of the elongate strap, the first coupling partner being selectively matable to the second coupling partner. 
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 9 , wherein the first coupling partner is a first snap member and the second coupling partner is a second snap member. 
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 7 , further comprising a sleeve for substantially covering the resilient sheet, the sleeve and the elongate strap being comprised of fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient sheet is comprised of crosslink foam. 
     
     
         13 . An insert for a footwear item, the insert configured to retain the shape of the footwear item during one or more of storage and display of the footwear item, the footwear item having a body with a sole and an opening, the insert comprising:
 a resilient sheet, the resilient sheet being foam sheet that is moveable between an unrolled position and a rolled position, the resilient sheet being biased toward the unrolled position;   a sleeve for substantially covering the resilient sheet; and   a hanging mechanism attached to one or more of the resilient sheet and the sleeve, the hanging mechanism configured to be extended outwardly beyond the opening of the footwear item and allow selective suspension of the footwear item,   wherein the resilient sheet is configured to be inserted through the opening of the footwear item and into the body of the footwear item,   wherein at least a portion of an outer wall the resilient sheet is configured to abut at least a portion of an inner surface of the body of the footwear item, and   wherein the resilient sheet is configured to provide an outward force on at least the portion of the inner surface of the body of the footwear its abutted by the outer wall of the resilient sheet.   
     
     
         14 . The insert of  claim 13 , wherein the hanging mechanism comprises an elongate strap, the elongate strap having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongate strap further having a coupling mechanism for coupling the first end to the second end to form a loop. 
     
     
         15 . The insert of  claim 14 , wherein the loop is configured to receive one or more of a rod and a hook. 
     
     
         16 . The insert of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first coupling partner on the first end of the elongate strap and a second coupling partner on the second end of the elongate strap, the first coupling partner being selectively matable to the second coupling partner. 
     
     
         17 . An insert for selectively hanging an item, the item having a body with an opening, the insert comprising:
 a resilient sheet, the resilient sheet being a foam sheet that is moveable between an unrolled position and a rolled position, the resilient sheet being biased toward the unrolled position; and   a hanging mechanism attached to the resilient sheet, the hanging mechanism configured to be extended outwardly beyond the opening of the item and allow selective hanging of the item,   wherein the resilient sheet is configured to be inserted through the opening of the item and into the body of the item,   wherein at least a portion of an outer wall the resilient sheet is configured to abut at least a portion of an inner surface of the body of the item, and   wherein the resilient sheet is configured to provide an outward force on at least the portion of the inner surface of the body of the item abutted by the outer wall of the resilient sheet.   
     
     
         18 . The insert of  claim 17 , further comprising a sleeve for substantially covering the resilient sheet, wherein a periphery of the resilient sheet has an upper sheet edge and an opposing lower sheet edge and a periphery of the sleeve has an upper sleeve edge and an opposing lower sleeve edge, the upper sleeve edge being aligned with the upper sheet edge and the lower sleeve edge being aligned with the lower sheet edge, and
 the hanging mechanism is attached to the resilient sheet via attachment to the upper sleeve edge.   
     
     
         19 . The insert of  claim 18 , wherein the hanging mechanism comprises an elongate strap, the elongate strap having a first end and an opposing second end, the elongate strap further having a coupling mechanism for coupling the first end to the second end to form a loop, the loop being configured to receive one or more of a rod and a hook. 
     
     
         20 . The insert of  claim 19 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first coupling partner on the first end of the elongate strap and a second coupling partner on the second end of the elongate strap, the first coupling partner being selectively matable to the second coupling partner.