Extension tool for helping a user remove or put on footwear

Abstract

Described is an extension tool for manipulating a component of an item of footwear such as a zipper or heel loop to help with removing the item or putting on the item of footwear. The extension tool includes an extension defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an extension axis. There is a handle at the first end of the extension and an interactive element at the second end of the extension. The interactive element includes a main projection forming an obtuse angle to the extension axis which is provided for engaging the component of the item of footwear for pushing or pulling the component. The user grasps the handle and manipulates the interactive element to push or pull the component of the shoe to help with removing the item of footwear or putting on the item of footwear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extension tool for manipulating a component of an item of footwear, comprising:
 an extension defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an extension axis;   a grip at the first end of the extension; and   an interactive element at the second end of the extension, the interactive element including a main projection forming an obtuse angle to the extension axis and provided for engaging the component of the item of footwear for pushing or pulling the component, the interactive element configured to be deployed by a user grasping the grip to push or pull the component of the shoe while removing the item of footwear or putting on the item of footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the extension is a telescoping extension movable between a collapsed configuration and at least one extended configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The extension tool of  claim 2 , wherein the extension incorporates a locking mechanism to hold the extension in the at least one extended configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The extension tool of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a release toggle to release the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The extension tool of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism is one of a magnetic locking mechanism and a button locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the extension tool further includes a hanging element for use in hanging up the extension tool. 
     
     
         7 . The extension tool of  claim 6 , wherein the hanging element is a clip. 
     
     
         8 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive element further includes a support projection for supporting the main projection. 
     
     
         9 . The extension tool of  claim 8 , wherein the support projection is parallel to the extension axis. 
     
     
         10 . The extension tool of  claim 9 , wherein the support projection is in line with the extension axis. 
     
     
         11 . The extension tool of  claim 8 , wherein the support projection is parallel to the extension axis and the main projection is perpendicular to the extension axis. 
     
     
         12 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the main projection defines a main projection end, the main projection end located a main projection length from the extension axis. 
     
     
         13 . The extension tool of  claim 12 , wherein the main projection is straight along an extent between the main projection end and a midpoint. 
     
     
         14 . The extension tool of  claim 13 , wherein the midpoint is at least a third of the main projection length from the main projection end. 
     
     
         15 . The extension tool of  claim 12 , wherein the main projection length is at least a quarter centimetre. 
     
     
         16 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is a handle. 
     
     
         17 . The extension tool of  claim 16 , wherein the handle has at least one degree of freedom relative to the extension. 
     
     
         18 . The extension tool of  claim 17 , wherein the handle is free to rotate about the extension axis relative to the main projection. 
     
     
         19 . The extension tool of  claim 17 , wherein the handle is free to rotate relative the extension axis. 
     
     
         20 . The extension tool of  claim 1 , wherein the grip defines a cavity, and the extension is configured to be collapsed or folded into the cavity.