Boot and shoe puller

Claim 1

A boot and shoe pulling device to facilitate the removal of a boot or shoe from an individual''s foot, comprising an inverted Ushaped stabilizing stand including a pair of substantially parallel elongated upright members interconnected at the top ends thereof by a connecting crosspiece member, the inverted U-shaped stabilizing member defining between the uprights and crosspiece an elongated rectangular space, a substantially flat rectangular elongated foot board of a length and width slightly less than the space defined in the stabilizing member, the foot board comprising a bottom edge, a top edge, and opposed substaNtially parallel side edges, a pair of laterally aligned pivot pins spaced laterally apart and projecting outwardly from opposed side edges along the bottom end portion of the foot board, a pair of laterally aligned openings in opposed upright members of a size and configuration to receive respective pivot members therein from the adjacent side edge of the foot board, the foot board pivotable about the pivot members between an inoperative position lying co-planar with the plane of the stabilizing member and an operative position where the foot board is pivotally swung about the pivot members to position the foot board top edge forwardly and downwardly of the stabilizing member when the stabilizing member is supported in a substantially vertical position, a first stiffening member extending across the complete width of the foot board intermediate the side edges and positioned adjacent the foot board bottom edge to resist any warping tendencies of the foot board, a second stiffening member extending laterally of the foot board adjacent the top edge thereof with opposite ends of the second stiffening member projecting laterally outwardly of the respective side edges of the foot board in a manner to overlap the associated upright members of the stabilizing member when the foot board is in the inoperative position to retain the foot board substantially co-planar with the plane of the stabilizing member in the inoperative position, a tear drop shaped opening extending longitudinally of the foot board and disposed therein intermediate the top edge and the pivot members with the narrow end of the opening being nearest the foot board top edge and the widest portion of the opening being disposed nearest the pivot members, and a liner frame type member of a size and configuration adapted to be snugly received within the tear drop opening in juxtaposition with the side surfaces thereof, the liner frame being of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the foot board so as to lie substantially coplanar therewith, the liner being adhesively secured in the opening to permanently affix the same thereto such that an individual may support the stabilizing member in a vertical position and pivot the foot board into the operative position at which time the individual may insert the heel portion of his shoe into the narrow end of the liner while maintaining his balance by holding onto the crosspiece member and then readily pull his foot out of the shoe to remove the shoe from the foot.