Footwear hanging device

Abstract

Footwear hanging devices can be used to secure and suspend footwear. Footwear hanging devices can include an enclosure with one or more flexible portions extendable from the enclosure and configured to suspend footwear. In one example, footwear hanging devices can be used to suspend high heel shoes from a purse.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footwear hanging device, comprising:
 an enclosure having an inner region; and   a first flexible portion attached to the inner region of the enclosure, the first flexible portion being extendable from the enclosure and comprising a first footwear-securing feature configured to secure a first heel portion of a first high heel shoe, wherein the first flexible portion is storable within the enclosure when not in use.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second flexible portion attached to the inner region of the enclosure, the second flexible portion being extendable from the enclosure and comprising a second footwear-securing feature configured to secure a second heel portion of a second high heel shoe, wherein the second flexible portion is storable within the enclosure when not in use.   
     
     
         3 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the first footwear-securing feature is a flexible loop that is configured to secure around an exterior surface of the heel portion of the first high heel shoe. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the first footwear-securing feature is an elastomer loop that can be secured around an exterior surface of the heel portion of the first high heel shoe, the elastomer loop having a diameter of about 0.125-0.375, 0.25-0.5, 0.375-0.875, or 0.75-1.0 in. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible portion has length of about 2-4, 3-6, 5-7, or 4-8 in. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , where the enclosure is a compact enclosure having a diameter of less than 3, 2.5, or 2 in and a thickness less than 0.75, 0.5, or 0.375 in. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , comprising a structure within the enclosure around which the first flexible portion can be wound when not in use. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an opening through which the first flexible portion extends, the opening configured to allow the enclosure to be closed when the first flexible portion is extended through the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a swivel attached to the enclosure; and   an attachment mechanism extending from the swivel and configured to allow the footwear hanging device to removably attach to a purse or other item.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein a static coefficient of friction between a material of the first footwear-securing feature and the first heel portion is 0.45-0.65, 0.55-0.75, 0.65-0.85, 0.75-0.95, 0.85-1.05, or 0.96-1.16. 
     
     
         11 . A footwear hanging device, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising an inner region, the inner region comprising a first attachment feature; and   a first flexible portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible portion attached to an inner region of the enclosure, the second end of the first flexible portion being removably attachable to the first attachment feature to form a first hanging loop between the first end and the second end of the first flexible portion, the first hanging loop configured to support footwear.   
     
     
         12 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure comprises a first portion and a second portion that together define the enclosure, the enclosure further comprising an opening in the first portion or the second portion through which the first hanging loop of the first flexible portion can be routed. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure comprises a first portion attached to a second portion by a joint, the joint allowing the enclosure to open and close and allowing the first flexible portion to be accessed when stored in the inner region of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the first flexible portion comprises a first flexible loop that is removably attachable to the first attachment feature, wherein the first attachment feature is a hook. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure comprises a first portion and a second portion that together define the enclosure, the enclosure further comprising an opening in the first portion or the second portion through which the first hanging loop of the first flexible portion can be routed, the enclosure further comprising a locking mechanism to prevent the enclosure from being opened. 
     
     
         16 . A footwear hanging device, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a first attachment feature within an interior region of the enclosure;   a first flexible portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the first flexible portion attached to an interior region of the enclosure; and   a first flexible loop at the second end of the first flexible portion,   wherein the first flexible portion is transitionable between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, the first configuration comprising the flexible portion extending from the enclosure with the first flexible loop configured to support footwear, the second configuration comprising the first flexible loop removably attached to the first attachment feature within the enclosure thereby forming a first hanging loop configured to support footwear, and the third configuration comprising the first flexible portion stored within the enclosure.   
     
     
         17 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second flexible portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the second flexible portion attached proximate the interior region of the enclosure; and   a second flexible loop at the second end of the second flexible portion, the second flexible loop configured to removably attach to the first attachment feature within the enclosure thereby forming a second hanging loop configured to support footwear.   
     
     
         18 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second flexible portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the second flexible portion attached proximate the interior region of the enclosure; and   a second flexible loop at the second end of the second flexible portion, the second flexible loop configured to removably attach to a second attachment feature within the enclosure thereby forming a second hanging loop configured to support footwear.   
     
     
         19 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 16 , the enclosure comprising a first opening through which the first flexible portion extends. 
     
     
         20 . The footwear hanging device of  claim 16 , wherein the enclosure comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions together defining the enclosure, and the inner region is a volume between the first and second portions.