APPARATUS INCLUDES SHOE HOLDER FOR HOLDING SHOE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/270,772, filed on Dec. 22, 2015, which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to the technical field of (and is not limited to) an apparatus including a shoe holder configured to receive and hold a shoe in a stationary upright position.

BACKGROUND

A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. High-heeled footwear (often abbreviated as high heels or simply heels) is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. Shoe display systems are used to display shoes to potential shoe buyers (at a retail outlet) or to display shoes to the user (at home).

SUMMARY

It will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least in part) at least one problem associated with the existing shoe display systems (also called the existing technology). After much study of the known systems and methods with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution has been identified and is articulated as follows:

The storage, organization and/or display of shoes involve placing the shoes on a shelf surface, a shoe holder, a shoe stand, a rack or a tower, etc. Shoes (such as heeled shoes) positioned on a horizontal surface may topple over and cause inadvertent damage to the shoe and/or an adjacent shoe. Existing shoe holders are not reliable for holding the shoe in a stationary upright position while the shoe holder contacts the horizontal working surface.

To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with the existing technology, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an apparatus. The apparatus is for use with a shoe and a horizontal working surface. The apparatus includes a shoe holder configured (A) to contact the horizontal working surface, (B) to receive the shoe, and (C) and hold the shoe in a stationary upright position (while the shoe holder contacts the horizontal working surface).

The shoe holder includes (and is not limited to) an anti-slip portion. The anti-slip portion is configured to contact the horizontal working surface. This is done in such a way that the anti-slip portion prevents, at least in part, inadvertent slippage between the shoe holder and the horizontal working surface while the shoe holder receives and holds the shoe in the stationary upright position (relative to the horizontal working surface).

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the shoe holder includes a lower section having the anti-slip portion.

Other aspects are identified in the claims.

Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (SHEET 1 OF 10 SHEETS) depict a perspective view and a side view (respectively) of embodiments of an apparatus for use with a shoe and a horizontal working surface;

FIG. 3 (SHEET 2 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (SHEET 3 OF 10 SHEETS) depict perspective views of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 (SHEET 4 OF 10 SHEETS) depict a front view and a side view (respectively) of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 (SHEET 4 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 (SHEET 4 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 (SHEET 5 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a top view of a top portion of an embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 (SHEET 5 OF 10 SHEETS) depict cross-sectional views of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 (SHEET 6 OF 10 SHEETS) depict views of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 (SHEET 7 OF 10 SHEETS) depict views of embodiments of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 (SHEET 8 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 21 (SHEET 9 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a top-down exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 (SHEET 10 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a bottom view of two of the alternate embodiments of FIG. 20 in a side-by-side configuration.

FIG. 23 (SHEET 10 OF 10 SHEETS) depicts a front view of two of the alternate embodiments of FIG. 20 in a side-by-side configuration.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details unnecessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood, elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted to provide a less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS

• 100 apparatus
• 102 shoe holder
• 104 lower section
• 106 anti-slip portion
• 108 upper section
• 110 center section
• 114 upper anti-slip section
• 116 lower anti-slip section
• 118 upper front edge
• 120 bottom front edge
• 122 acute angle
• 124 obtuse angle
• 200 first channel
• 202 second channel
• 204 third channel
• 206 fourth channel
• 208 fifth channel
• 210 first groove
• 212 second groove
• 214 stand-off projections
• 300 connecting piece
• 302 connecting projections
• 304 connecting grooves
• 306 valley portion
• 308 stabilizing projections
• 900 shoe
• 902 horizontal working surface
• 904 shoe heel portion
• 906 shoe sole
• 1000 snap fitting
• 1002 reinforcing extensions
• 1004 single channel
• 1006 central projection

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application of uses of the described embodiments. As used, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims. For the description, the terms “bottom”, “top”, “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. There is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory in the preceding Technical Field, Background, Summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is understood that the phrase “at least one” is equivalent to “a”. The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described regarding the drawings. It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict a perspective view and a side view (respectively) of embodiments of an apparatus 100 for use with a shoe 900 and a horizontal working surface 902.

Embodiments of the shoe 900 include any type of shoe, a stiletto type shoe, etc. Embodiments of the horizontal working surface 902 include any type of horizontal surface, a hard smooth surface, a ceramic surface, a hardwood surface, a floor surface, a shelf surface, etc. The apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) a shoe holder 102. The shoe holder 102 is configured to: (A) be positioned on the horizontal working surface 902, (B) receive (at least in part) the shoe 900, and (C) hold the shoe 900 in a stationary upright position (relative to the horizontal working surface 902, as depicted in FIG. 1).

The shoe holder 102 has (includes) an anti-slip portion 106. The anti-slip portion 106 is configured to contact the horizontal working surface 902 (once the shoe holder 102 is placed on the horizontal working surface 902); this is done in such a way that the anti-slip portion 106 prevents, at least in part, inadvertent slippage between the shoe holder 102 and the horizontal working surface 902 (while the shoe holder 102 receives and holds the shoe 900 in the stationary upright position relative to the horizontal working surface 902).

The technical effect of the apparatus 100 is that the shoe 900 is held in a stationary upright position relative to the horizontal working surface 902 while the shoe 900 is received by the shoe holder 102. The apparatus 100 improves the manner for displaying the shoe 900 to a user (or potential buyers of the shoe 900).

Preferably, the shoe holder 102 has (includes) a lower section 104, and the lower section 104 has (provides) the anti-slip portion 106. For instance, the shoe holder 102 may be formed in a mold assembly filled with a plastic molding material (also called plastic material) injected by an injection molding system into the mold assembly, etc., or may be manufactured by any other technique or type of manufacturing method and/or manufacturing systems. It will be appreciated that persons of skill in the art may revise the mold assembly (or other manufacturing method) that is used for forming (manufacturing) the combination of the lower section 104, the upper section 108 and the center section 110 (as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) to suit specific manufacturing needs (or other needs). The shoe holder 102 may be called a shoe stand, etc. The shoe holder 102 is, preferably, light weight and portable, and may be placed on any type of the horizontal working surface 902 where a user may want to store, organize and/or position the shoe 900 (or more than one instance of the shoe 900, such as a pair of shoes). For instance, the shoe holder 102 may be placed on a horizontal floor, a shelf surface, etc. Preferably, the shoe holder 102 is for use with a paired instance of the shoe 900. Preferably, the shoe holder 102 (in use) holds a paired instance of the shoe 900 in a side-by-side orientation and in the stationary upright position (as depicted in FIG. 1). The shoe holder 102 may be used with the heeled type of the shoe 900, of varying heel heights, shapes and/or styles, etc. For instance, the shoe holder 102 may be used with high-heeled shoes (such as, pumps and stilettos, etc.), and/or with low-heeled shoes (such as kitten heels, etc.). Preferably, a portion of the shoe 900 (such as, the shoe sole 906) may rest on (contact) the horizontal working surface 902 (as depicted in FIG. 1), if so desired.

For instance, the anti-slip portion 106 may include a soft silicone material, a flexible rubber material and/or any suitable soft material having an anti-slip property (and any equivalent thereof). In accordance with an embodiment, the anti-slip portion 106 is further configured to contact, at least in part, a portion of the shoe 900, such as the heel of the shoe 900 (once the shoe holder 102 receives the shoe 900). This is done in such a way that the anti-slip portion 106 prevents, at least in part, inadvertent slippage between the shoe holder 102 and the shoe 900 while the shoe holder 102 receives and holds the shoe 900 in the stationary upright position (relative to the horizontal working surface 902). It will be appreciated that it is not necessary that the anti-slip portion 106 remains (or be) in contact with the shoe 900 (if so desired). In addition, due to possible limiting factors associated with manufacturing, the lower section 104 is (preferably) made of the same material as the center section 110. Preferably, there is no anti-slip material where the heels rest thereon (that is, make contact with).

The anti-slip portion 106 is configured to reduce (at least in part), or preferably eliminate, unwanted or inadvertent movements (such as sliding and shifting) of the shoe holder 102 along the horizontal working surface 902 (for the case where the user accidentally bumps into the shoe 900). In this arrangement, the shoe holder 102 is maintained (at least in part) in a static stationary position relative to the horizontal working surface 902. The apparatus 100 may be useful in show room conditions where shoes are placed on display for customers to view retail shoe outlets (so that the shoes may be kept in an upright condition and reduce the time needed by retail staff to reorganize shoes that may have fallen over).

Referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment, the shoe holder 102 further includes an upper section 108 that is positioned above (and spaced apart from) the lower section 104. The upper section 108 defines an opening (channel) that is configured to receive the shoe heel portion 904 of the shoe 900.

A center section 110 fixedly connects the lower section 104 to the upper section 108, and extends between the lower section 104 and the upper section 108. The lower section 104 and the upper section 108 extend sideways (preferably, extend horizontally) relative to the horizontal working surface 902 once the shoe holder 102 is placed on the horizontal working surface 902. Preferably, the upper section 108 is aligned and extends along an angle relative to the horizontal working surface 902 once the shoe holder 102 is placed on the horizontal working surface 902 (as depicted in FIG. 7). Depending on the height (vertical height) of the shoe heel portion 904, a tip portion of the shoe heel portion 904 may contact a top portion of the lower section 104.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depict perspective views of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

The center section 110 is depicted as having a trapezoidal shape and extends vertically between the lower section 104 and the upper section 108. The center section 110 fixedly connects the lower section 104 to the upper section 108.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3, the upper section 108 defines (provides) a first channel 200, a second channel 202, a third channel 204 and a fourth channel 206, each positioned in a side-by-side arrangement along a lateral length of the upper section 108. The first channel 200 and the second channel 202 are positioned at opposite ends of the upper section 108, and each are configured to receive (at least in part) the shoe heel portion 904 of the shoe 900. The third channel 204 and the fourth channel 206 are positioned between the first channel 200 and the second channel 202. The third channel 204 and the fourth channel 206 are configured to anchor an upper anti-slip section 114 (as depicted in FIG. 4) to the upper section 108. Specifically, the upper anti-slip section 114 is formed (preferably, molded or overmolded) to the upper section 108 in such a way that the upper anti-slip section 114 becomes securely anchored to the upper section 108 at the third channel 204 and the fourth channel 206. More specifically, the upper anti-slip section 114 surrounds the third channel 204 and the forth fourth channel 206 along a portion of the top surface and the bottom surface of the upper section 108.

Referring to FIG. 4, an upper anti-slip section 114 (which may be called an insert) is formed to the upper section 108 (preferably by overmolding the upper anti-slip section 114 to the upper section 108). The upper anti-slip section 114 defines (provides) the first groove 210 and the second groove 212 each configured to receive a respective instance of a shoe heel portion 904 of a shoe 900.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the lower section 104 defines (provides) a fifth channel 208 configured to receive a lower anti-slip section 116. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that other options would be possible for the configuration of the lower section 104 (if so desired) to adjust to manufacturing requirements and still remain within the scope of the invention as described in at least one or more of the claims. The lower anti-slip section 116 may be called an insert (as depicted in FIG. 4). The lower anti-slip section 116 is fixedly anchored to the lower section 104 (at the fifth channel 208). Specifically, the lower anti-slip section 116 is formed (preferably, molded or overmolded) to the lower section 104 in such a way that the lower anti-slip section 116 becomes securely anchored to the lower section 104 at the fifth channel 208. For instance, it will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art could change (adapt) the shapes (configurations) of the material used in the upper anti-slip section 114 and the lower anti-slip section 116 to suit specific manufacturing needs. For instance, the area where the heel tips rest (on or proximate to the lower section 104) may be made of a plastic material (that is, same as the material used in the center section 110) instead of being made with silicone (if so desired). It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that other options would be possible for the configuration of lower anti-slip section 116 (if so desired) to adjust to manufacturing requirements and still remain within the scope of the invention as described in at least one or more of the claims.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first channel 200, the second channel 202, the third channel 204 and the fourth channel 206 of the upper section 108 securely receive (at least in part) the upper anti-slip section 114. The upper anti-slip section 114 defines (provides) a first groove 210 and a second groove 212 (spaced apart from each other) each configured to receive (at least in part) a respective instance of the shoe heel portion 904 of the shoe 900. Preferably, the first groove 210 and the second groove 212 each forms (defines) an X-shaped formation. The first groove 210 and the second groove 212 are positioned within the first channel 200 and the second channel 202, respectively (as depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The material of the upper anti-slip section 114 surrounding the first groove 210 and the second groove 212 is soft and flexible to allow the shoe heel portion 904 of the shoe 900 to be slidably received and removed from the upper anti-slip section 114 without imparting damage to the shoe heel portion 904. For instance, the upper anti-slip section 114 includes a silicone material, a rubber material and/or any suitable material (and any equivalent thereof) usable for forming the first groove 210 and the second groove 212.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the anti-slip portion 106 (as depicted in FIG. 1) of the lower section 104 provides the lower anti-slip section 116 at depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). Specifically, the lower anti-slip section 116 is received (at least in part) by the lower section 104. More specifically, the lower section 104 defines a hole configured to securely receive (at least in part) the lower anti-slip section 116. The vertical height of the lower anti-slip section 116 may be less than or equal to the vertical height of the lower section 104, or any suitable height. For the case where the lower anti-slip section 116 has a vertical height that is less than the vertical height of the lower section 104, the shoe holder 102 may accommodate longer lengths of the shoe heel portion 904. The lower section 104 includes a hard plastic body (material) that is shaped. For instance, the lower anti-slip section 116 includes a silicone material, a rubber material, and/or any suitable material having an anti-slip property (and any equivalent thereof). Preferably, the upper anti-slip section 114 and the lower anti-slip section 116 are of the same material (overmolding material).

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict a front view and a side view (respectively) of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 6, the center section 110 includes a flat portion forming a trapezoidal shape that is positioned between (and extends between) the upper section 108 and the lower section 104. The upper section 108 connects to the center section 110 along the length of an upper front edge 118 of the shoe holder 102. The lower section 104 connects to the center section 110 along the length of a bottom front edge 120 of the shoe holder 102. Preferably, the length of the upper front edge 118 is less than the length of the bottom front edge 120 (if so desired).

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 7, the upper section 108 and lower section 104 are connected to the center section 110 along the front edges in such a way that a C-shape configuration is formed (as depicted in the side view of the shoe holder 102, as depicted in FIG. 7). The C-shaped configuration of the shoe holder 102 includes (forms): (A) an acute angle 122 between the lower section 104 and the center section 110, and (B) an obtuse angle 124 between the center section 110 and the upper section 108. The acute angle 122 determines the relative position of the upper section 108 to the lower section 104. Preferably, the acute angle 122 has a magnitude such that the upper section 108 is positioned above (and centered to) the lower section 104. The obtuse angle 124 accommodates the heel breast of the shoe 900 (as depicted in FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 6 (taken along a cross-sectional line O-O of FIG. 6).

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 8, the upper anti-slip section 114 fills the third channel 204. The lower anti-slip section 116 surrounds (at least in part) the bottom surface of the lower section 104. The lower anti-slip section 116 provides or includes the anti-slip portion 106. Preferably, the vertical height of the lower anti-slip section 116 is less than the vertical height of the lower section 104. Preferably, the center section 110 includes a solid portion that does not include an insert formed thereto.

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 9, the lower anti-slip section 116 includes (forms) stand-off projections 214 that are (A) spaced apart from each other at corner portions of the lower anti-slip section 116, and (B) evenly spaced relative to each other and extend from the lower section 104. The lower section 104 forms holes that receive the stand-off projections 214. The stand-off projections 214 are configured to contact the horizontal working surface 902 in such a way that the lower section 104 is spaced apart from the horizontal working surface 902. The stand-off projections 214 are configured to prevent inadvertent sliding of the lower section 104 relative to the horizontal working surface 902. The stand-off projections 214 include a silicone material, a rubber material and/or any suitable material having an anti-slip property (and any equivalent thereof). Preferably, the stand-off projections 214 are made of the same material as the anti-slip portion 106.

FIG. 10 depicts a top view of a top portion of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 10, the upper section 108 is spaced part from (and is positioned above) the lower section 104. The first groove 210 and the second groove 212 are positioned above the lower anti-slip section 116 in such a way that the lower anti-slip section 116 is positioned to receive, at least in apart, the tip of the shoe heel portion 904 of the shoe 900.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 depict cross-sectional views of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 10 (taken along a cross-sectional line P-P depicted in FIG. 10).

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 11, the lower anti-slip section 116 surrounds (at least in part) the lower section 104 (such as the bottom surface of the lower section 104). The anti-slip portion 106 includes the lower anti-slip section 116 and the stand-off projections 214.

In accordance with embodiment as depicted in FIG. 12, the upper anti-slip section 114 securely fills and connects with the third channel 204 and the fourth channel 206. The first channel 200 and the fourth channel 206 are partially exposed to form the first groove 210 and second groove 212.

FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 depict views of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 13 depicts a side perspective view. FIG. 14 depicts a side view. FIG. 15 depicts a side perspective view.

In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 15, two instances of the shoe holder 102 are connected in a side-by-side arrangement. Connecting two or more instances of the shoe holder 102 provides an extended display system for displaying shoes in a row.

The shoe holder 102 further includes a connecting piece 300. The connecting piece 300 is configured to connect at least two instances of the shoe holder 102 in a side-by-side relationship. This arrangement allows pairs of shoes to be positioned next to one another along a row. For instance, the connecting piece 300 may be formed in a mold assembly filled with plastic material injected by an injection molding system, etc., or any other type of manufacturing method. Preferably, the connecting piece 300 is made of the same material as the shoe holder 102.

In accordance with the embodiments as depicted in FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the connecting piece 300 forms a U-shaped body having at least two or more connecting projections 302 extending from an upper portion of the connecting piece 300 and are positioned on opposing sides of the connecting piece 300. The connecting projections 302 are configured to be received by a respective instance of a connecting groove 304 that is defined on the top surface of an end portion of the lower section 104, as depicted in FIG. 13.

The connecting piece 300 further includes a valley portion 306. For instance, a wider instance of the valley portion 306 may accommodate larger and wider pairs of shoes in a side-by-side arrangement. The width of the valley portion 306 is determined by the distance between the opposing instances of the connecting projections 302. For instance, the larger the distance between the connecting projections 302, the wider the valley portion 306. The depth of the valley portion 306 may be less than or equal to the vertical height of the lower section 104.

FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 depict views of embodiments of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 16 depicts a top perspective view. FIG. 17 depicts a bottom perspective view. FIG. 18 depicts a side perspective view. FIG. 19 depicts a bottom perspective view.

In accordance with the embodiments as depicted in FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the connecting piece 300 provides a flat portion having at least two or more instances of the connecting projections 302 extending downwardly from the connecting piece 300. The connecting projections 302 are positioned on opposite sides of the connecting piece 300. The connecting projections 302 are configured to be received by the connecting grooves 304 provided by (defined by) the lower section 104.

The connecting piece 300 further includes stabilizing projections 308 extending downwardly from the connecting piece 300. The stabilizing projections 308 are configured to provide a close fit (friction fit) to the outside wall of the shoe holder 102 when connected. The distance between the opposing instances of the connecting projections 302 determines the sizes and styles of shoes that may be accommodated when the instances of the shoe holder 102 are connected in a side-by-side arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus is provided. In this example embodiment, the upper section 108 and the center section 110 are formed as a single unit. The lower section 104 is a separate unit. The lower section 104 is configured to receive the single unit (having the upper section 108 and the center section 110). In this example embodiment, the lower section 104 is configured to receive a snap fitting 1000 of the single unit (having the upper section 108 and the center section 110).

Referring again to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the lower section 104 may also be configured to receive reinforcement extensions 1002 extending from the bottom front edge 120 of the center section 110 of the single unit. This reinforcement extension 1002 is configured to add structural rigidity to the assembled apparatus once the lower section 104 is connected to the center section 110 or single unit (having the upper section 108 and the center section 110). In this example, the reinforcement extension 1002 helps to prevent the center section 110 and upper section 108 from collapsing towards the lower section 104 once a load is applied to the assembled apparatus. The reinforcement extensions 1002 may also be used to reduce, at least in part, the load exerted on the snap fitting 1000 once a load is applied to the assembled apparatus.

Referring again to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the upper section 108 has a first channel 200 and a second channel 202. Furthermore, in this embodiment the upper section 108 has a single channel 1004 configured to receive the upper anti-slip section 114. Correspondingly, the upper anti-slip section 114 is configured to be received by the single channel 1004.

Referring again to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, in this example embodiment the lower section 104 is configured to receive the lower anti-slip section 116. In this embodiment the lower anti-slip section 116 is snapped to a receiver in the lower section 104 such that the lower section 104 covers the lower anti-slip section 116. Accordingly, in this embodiment no portion of the shoe 900 contacts the lower anti-slip section 116.

Referring again to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, in this example, connecting grooves 304 are defined once the lower anti-slip section 116 and the lower section 104 are assembled. These connecting grooves 304 are configured to receive connecting projections 302 of the connecting piece 300. In this example embodiment, the connecting projections 302 extend upwardly from the base of the apparatus towards the upper portion 108. The connecting projections 302 prevent, at least in part, the apparatus from separating horizontally once it is connected, via the connecting piece 300, to another apparatus.

Referring again to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, in this example embodiment the connecting piece 300 further comprises a central projection 1006 that is approximately parallel to the connecting projections 302. The central projection 1006 is configured to contact, at least in part, the lower section 104, the lower anti-slip section 116, or both once the connected piece 300 is connected to a first instance of the apparatus or a first instance and a second instance of the apparatus. The central projection 1006 is configured to maintain a horizontal distance between a first instance of the apparatus and a second instance of the apparatus. The central projection 1006 may also be configured to prevent, at least in part, the first instance of the apparatus and a second instance of the apparatus from moving horizontally relative to each other. That is, the central projection 1006 may also be used to maintain a fixed horizontal distance between the first instance of the apparatus and a second instance of the apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, two instances of the apparatus of FIG. 20 are connected using the connecting piece 300 in a side-by-side configuration are depicted. in this example embodiment the connecting piece 300, once it is connected to a first instance of the apparatus or a first instance and a second instance of the apparatus, is configured so that it is approximately flush with the lower anti-slip section 116 so that the assembly rests flat against the horizontal working surface. That is, the connecting piece 300 is configured to rest (approximately) flat against the horizontal working surface once the connecting piece 300 is received by the connecting groove 304 of each of the two shoe holders.

The number of connecting grooves 304 configured on the shoe holder 102 will depend on the desired display configuration. For instance, the shoe holder 102 may have four connecting grooves 304, one configured on each side of the shoe holder 102, so that a suitably configured connecting piece 300 may connect four instances of the shoe holder 104 in a cross-like formation. This may be useful in situations where shoes are to displayed on a rotating carousel, for instance. It will be appreciated that alternate configurations of the connecting grooves 304 can be contemplated without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Similarly, the configuration of the connecting piece 300 will depend on the desired display configuration. For instance, the connecting piece 300 may have four connecting projections 302 to connect to four separate shoe holders 102. Similarly, other configurations of the connecting piece 300 can be contemplated without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For instance, a connecting piece 300 may have three connecting projections 302 to connect three separate shoe holders 102 in a triangular configuration.

It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that technical features of each embodiment may be deployed (where possible) in other embodiments even if not expressly stated as such above.

It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that other options would be possible for the configuration of the components of the apparatus 100 (if so desired) to adjust to manufacturing requirements and still remain within the scope of the invention as described in at least one or more of the claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as required to perform desired functions and tasks within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly or component that may be superior to any of the equivalents available to the person skilled in the art. There is no particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) the description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for this document, that the phrase “includes” is equivalent to the word “comprising.” The foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.