Integrated Shoehorn Adapted for a Shoe

Abstract

An integrated shoehorn in the form of a tab adapted for a shoe. The tab is made of a resilient, flexible, and low friction material. The tab is securely attached to the top rim of a shoe's counter at one end, and compliant at the other end. The compliant end provides an easy-grip feature, such as a finger loop, grip, or ring. The compliant end of the tab folds outwards and temporarily attaches to the back of the shoe counter via a mechanism such as VELCRO, snap-button, magnets, or ring/hook. The tab assists the user to easily wear the shoe by pulling it outward and backward when wearing a shoe, and sliding the heel into the shoe. After wearing the shoe, the tab folds back and attaches to the back of the shoe's counter. Thus, the integrated shoehorn is present when needed, but hidden when not needed.

1 . An integrated shoehorn, comprising:
 a) a tab, having an upper surface, a lower surface, a fixed side, a compliant side, and a plurality of free sides,   b) wherein, the fixed side of the tab is permanently and securely fastened to the rear rim of a shoe's counter along a seam, and   c) wherein, the compliant side of the tab is temporarily fastened to the lower exterior side of the shoe's counter.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 1 , wherein the seam between the fixed side of the tab and the rim of the shoe's counter is smooth. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the tab has a generally low coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 3 , wherein the tab is generally flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 4 , wherein the tab is generally resilient. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 5 , wherein the compliant side of the tab has a finger loop. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 6 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably fastens to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a VELCRO fastening element. 
     
     
         8 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 6 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably fastens to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a snap-button fastening element. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 6 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably fastens to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a pair of magnets. 
     
     
         10 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 5 , wherein the compliant side of the tab has a finger grip. 
     
     
         11 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 10 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably attaches to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a VELCRO fastening element. 
     
     
         12 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 10 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably attaches to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a snap-button fastening element. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 10 , wherein the lower surface of the compliant side of the tab removably attaches to the lower side of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter with a pair of magnets. 
     
     
         14 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 5 , wherein a ring is attached to the compliant side of the tab. 
     
     
         15 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 14 , wherein a hook is positioned centrally and downwardly pointing on the lower end of the exterior surface of the shoe's counter. 
     
     
         16 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 15 , wherein the tab is stretchable. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated shoehorn of  claim 16 , wherein the ring removably attaches to the hook.