A shielding cup is provided for use with a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The shielding cup is attached to a shoe heel as a temporary fix for a worn heel tip. The cup can be attached to the heel by a self-fusing member that binds to itself. The cup can also be attached by using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to concentrate heat on the heat-shrink version of the shielding cup. The cup can also be press fit on to the heel tip without the use of a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. Embodiments of the cup that can be press fit on to the heel tip include a rigid portion adjacent the base of the cup that engages the heel tip and a flexible portion extending away from the base of the cup. The flexible portion can be achieved by tapering the sidewalls of the cup along a longitudinal axis of the cup. Some embodiments of the cup that can be press fit on to the heel tip include a widened base having an outer periphery that is larger than an inner periphery.

A shielding cup is provided for use with a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The shielding cup is attached to a shoe heel as a temporary fix for a worn heel tip. The cup can be attached to the heel by a self-fusing member that binds to itself. The cup can also be attached by using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to concentrate heat on the heat-shrink version of the shielding cup.

A shielding cup is provided for use with a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The shielding cup is attached to a shoe heel as a temporary fix for a worn heel tip. The cup can be attached to the heel by a self-fusing member that binds to itself. The cup can also be attached by using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to concentrate heat on the heat-shrink version of the shielding cup.

A shoe heel cup device including a ground contacting base portion and a resilient shoe heel engagement portion forming a unitary member, the resilient shoe heel engagement portion being a cup containing, but not limited to, at least live flexible equispaced projecting ribs within the inner surface together defining a bore for receiving a shoe heel therein, the entry of which is smaller in diameter to the base. The invention has been described in language more or less specific to the device features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

A shoe heel cup device including a ground contacting base portion and a resilient shoe heel engagement portion forming a unitary member, the resilient shoe heel engagement portion being a cup containing, but not limited to, at least live flexible equispaced projecting ribs within the inner surface together defining a bore for receiving a shoe heel therein, the entry of which is smaller in diameter to the base. The invention has been described in language more or less specific to the device features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

The universal heel protection assembly disclosed herein includes an outer shell and a removable engagement member sized for receipt within the outer shell. The heel protection assembly may be sized to increase the surface area of the heel portion of footwear, such as high-heel shoes. The engagement members may include flexible vanes for receiving the heel of a piece of footwear to enable a universal fit for a variety of heel sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the universal heel protection assembly may provide a one-size fits all solution for high-heel wearers when they walk on grass, grates, and cracked surfaces. This device may fit on the bottom of the high-heel, protecting the heel from surface damage while supporting the wearer on various surfaces. The heel protection assembly may utilize at least two types of material, including a soft material for contacting the footwear.

The universal heel protection assembly disclosed herein includes an outer shell and a removable engagement member sized for receipt within the outer shell. The heel protection assembly may be sized to increase the surface area of the heel portion of footwear, such as high-heel shoes. The engagement members may include flexible vanes for receiving the heel of a piece of footwear to enable a universal fit for a variety of heel sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the universal heel protection assembly may provide a one-size fits all solution for high-heel wearers when they walk on grass, grates, and cracked surfaces. This device may fit on the bottom of the high-heel, protecting the heel from surface damage while supporting the wearer on various surfaces. The heel protection assembly may utilize at least two types of material, including a soft material for contacting the footwear.

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes an illuminable panel and a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel. The illuminable panel has a surface with a covered area and an exposed area. The covered area includes a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear. The strands are located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel. Light from the exposed area of the illuminable panel may enhance, highlight, or otherwise increase the visibility of the strands or areas of the upper that include the strands.