HIGH HEELED SHOES SUPPORTING NATURAL GAIT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high heeled shoe 1 having a forefoot section 5, an arch section 7 and a heel section 6, the high heeled shoe 1 comprising a constructive sole 2, a heel 8, directly or indirectly attached to a lower surface 3 of the heel section 6 of the constructive sole 2; an upper part 9, attached to the constructive sole 2 such that the upper part 9 and the constructive sole 2 together form an enclosure configured to receive and hold a foot in a specific configuration and an insole 10 comprising auxetic material.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A high heeled shoe having a forefoot section, an arch section and a heel section, the high heeled shoe comprising a constructive sole, an upper part, attached to the constructive sole such that the upper part and the constructive sole together form an enclosure configured to receive and hold a foot in a specific configuration; a heel, directly or indirectly attached to a lower surface of a heel section of the constructive sole; and an insole comprising auxetic material

12. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the insole comprises pillow-like areas protruding from the insole, the pillow-like areas comprising: a first pillow-like area arranged on an upper surface of a forefoot section of the insole, shaped such that it is configured to support an area between metatarsal bones and phalanges of a foot; and/or a second pillow-like area arranged on an upper surface of an arch section of the insole, shaped such that it is configured to support the metatarsal pad of the foot and lift it slightly in that area, to direct the weight of a user from the forefoot section towards the heel section; wherein the maximum height of each pillow-like area from the upper surface of the insole is at most 1.0 cm, such as 0.5 cm, such as 0.3 cm.

13. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the insole comprises several layers, including at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer of the insole is configured to cover the whole upper surface of the constructive sole, but only comprises auxetic material at one or more auxetic areas and the remaining of the first layer comprises or consists of another material; the second layer is arranged on top of the first layer and is made from a material, such as leather, having a thickness of less than 0.2 cm, such as 0.1 cm

14. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the insole comprises auxetic material at one or more specific areas, wherein such one or more specific areas include: a first auxetic area arranged at an upper surface of a forefoot section of the constructive sole such that it is configured to support an area between metatarsal bones and phalanges of a foot; and/or a second auxetic area arranged at an upper surface of an arch section of the constructive sole such that it is configured to support the metatarsal pad of the foot; and/or a third auxetic area arranged at an upper surface of an heel section of the constructive sole, having a circular or elliptical shape and configured to support a heel of a user.

15. A high heeled shoe according to claim 14, wherein the first auxetic area comprises the first pillow-like area; and/or the second auxetic area comprises the second pillow-like area.

16. A high heeled shoe according to claim 14, wherein the first auxetic area and the second auxetic area are joined to form a joined auxetic area or the first auxetic area, the second auxetic area and the third auxetic area are joined to form a joined auxetic area.

17. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the insole further comprises auxetic cutting in a toe-section of the forefoot section, the auxetic cutting extending through all layers of the insole and being configured to allow the toe-section of the insole to expand in at least one direction, such as in two directions, when pressure is applied on the toe-section.

18. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the heel section of the insole has an indentation with a circular or elliptical cross-section, wherein the indentation has a maximum depth of 0.2-0.8 cm, a smallest diameter between 3-5 cm and a largest diameter between 4-7 cm

19. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein the high heeled shoe further comprises an outsole arranged on the lower surface of the constructive sole, covering it either partly or fully, and wherein a forefoot section of the outsole comprises auxetic cutting identical to the auxetic cutting of the insole, and being configured to allow the toe-section of the outsole to expand in at least one direction, such as in two directions, when pressure is applied on the toe-section.

20. A high heeled shoe according to claim 11, wherein a longitudinal axis extend through the constructive sole, such that the heel section and the arch section of the constructive sole is divided into two substantially symmetrical parts by the longitudinal axis, wherein at least part of a first outer edge of the toe-section of the constructive sole extends in a direction which is parallel with or extends away from the longitudinal axis and at least part of a second outer edge extend towards the longitudinal axis and across the longitudinal axis to meet with the first outer edge to form a pointed tip, wherein the first outer edge is the outer edge configured to be closest to the big toe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0075] The high heeled shoe according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a high heeled shoe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a high heeled shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown from different views;

[0078] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an insole according to several different embodiments of the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an insole according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown from different views;

[0080] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an outsole according to an embodiment of the present invention, with and without a plateau.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the shape of the high heeled shoe of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0082] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing an embodiment of a high heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the high heeled shoe 1 in an exploded view, while FIG. 2 shows three-dimensional views of the high heeled shoe from different angles.

[0083] FIG. 2A shows a high heeled shoe 1 from a top view, FIG. 2B shows a high heeled shoe 1 from a front view, FIG. 2C shows a high heeled shoe 1 from a back view and FIG. 2D shows a high heeled shoe 1 from a side view.

[0084] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2D, a high heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention have a forefoot section 5 comprising a toe-section 19, an arch section 7 and a heel section 6. These sections are used in the present application to describe sections of the different elements of the present invention.

[0085] The high heeled shoe 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a constructive sole 2, an insole 10, an outsole 17, a plateau 22, a heel 8 and an upper part 9.

[0086] The constructive sole 2 is the backbone of the high heeled shoe, determining the height and ground shape of a the final shoe. As shown in FIG. 1, the constructive sole may be provided with a longitudinal cut along a part of the length. Such a longitudinal cut has been found to improve the advantageous load distribution properties of at least some embodiments of a high heeled shoe according to the present invention. The load distribution properties may also be influenced by providing the constructive sole with more such longitudinal cuts; e.g. two parallel longitudinal cuts at a distange from the edge of the constructive sole. As mentioned above, the constructive sole may also be provided with auxetic cutting. This auxetic cutting has been left out in FIG. 1 to more clearly show the longitudinal cut in the constructive sole. However, it could look as what is shown for the other parts in FIG. 1.

[0087] The upper part 9 is attached to the constructive sole 2 such that the upper part 9 and the constructive sole 2 together form an enclosure configured to receive and hold a foot in a specific configuration. Preferably, the high heeled shoe 1 of the present invention is closed with a pointed tip, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0088] A heel 8 of the high heeled shoe 1 is attached to a lower surface of the heel section 6 of an outsole 17 provided on the lower surface of the constructive sole 2.

[0089] Importantly, the high heeled shoe 1 of the present invention comprises an insole 10 comprising auxetic material. The insole 10 is configured to be arranged on an upper surface of the constructive sole 2.

[0090] Reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating several embodiments of an insole according to the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 3C shows a three-dimensional view of an insole 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, without showing which elements the insole 10 is made from.

[0092] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3D show an exploded views of different embodiments of an insole 10 according to the present invention, which when assembled, all will look as the insole 10 shown in FIG. 3C from that angle, but will look different from a bottom view.

[0093] The insoles 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 all comprise a first layer 14 and a second layer 15. The first layer 14 of the insole 10 is configured to cover the hole upper surface 4 of the constructive sole 2 and only comprise auxetic material at one or more auxetic areas 11, 12, 13. The second layer 15 is arranged on top of the first layer 14 and is made from a thin sheet of hardwearing material, such as leather.

[0094] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the insole comprise three auxetic areas 11, 12, 13.

[0095] A first auxetic area 11 is arranged at an upper surface of the forefoot section 5 of the constructive sole 2 and is configured to support an area between metatarsal bones and phalanges of a foot.

[0096] A second auxetic area 12 is arranged at an upper surface of the arch section 7 of the constructive sole 2 and is configured to support the metatarsal pad of a foot.

[0097] A third auxetic area 13 is arranged at an upper surface of the heel section 6 of the constructive sole 2. The third auxetic area preferably has a circular or elliptical shape and is configured to support a heel of a user.

[0098] In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, 3D and FIG. 4, the first auxetic area 11 and the second auxetic area 12 are joined to form a joined auxetic area 28/11+12. In some embodiments, the first auxetic area 11, the second auxetic area 12 and the third auxetic area 13 could be joined to form a larger joined auxetic area 28/11+12+13.

[0099] The insole 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 further comprises pillow-like areas 23, 24 protruding from the first layer 14 of the insole 2. A first pillow-like area 23 is arranged on the upper surface 4 of the forefoot section 5 of the insole 10, shaped such that it is configured to support an area between metatarsal bones and phalanges of a foot. The second pillow-like area 24 is arranged on the upper surface 4 of the arch section 7 of the insole 10, shaped such that it is configured to support the metatarsal pad of the foot and lift it slightly in that area, such that the weight of a user is directed from the forefoot section 5 towards the heel section 7.

[0100] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first auxetic area 11 comprises the first pillow-like area 23 and the second auxetic area 12 comprises the second pillow-like area 24. In such embodiments, the other material of the first layer does not extend over, but only around the first and second auxetic areas 12, 13. The second layer is a thin layer of leather glued on top of the first layer. Thus, the second layer will just fit over the shape of the first layer.

[0101] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the pillow-like areas are not made from auxetic material, but is made from the other material of the first layer. In such embodiments, the other material extends over the areas comprising auxetic material as shown in FIG. 3D.

[0102] FIG. 4 shows an insole 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3D where the first auxetic area 11 and the second auxetic area 12 are joined to form a joined auxetic area 28. FIG. 4A shows a bottom view of the insole 10, FIG. 4B shows a front view of the insole 10, FIG. 4C shows a back view of the insole 10, FIG. 4D shows a side view of the insole and FIG. 4E shoes a three-dimensional view.

[0103] The insoles 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 further comprise auxetic cutting 18 in a toe-section 19 of the forefoot section 5. The auxetic cutting 18 extends through all layers 14, 15 of the insole 10 and is configured to allow the toe-section 19 of the insole 10 to extend in at least one direction, such as in two directions, when pressure is applied on the toe-section. How many, and which directions it can extend in, depends on the auxetic cutting pattern.

[0104] Furthermore, the heel section 6 of the insole 10 has an indentation 21 with a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0105] Reference is made to FIG. 5, illustrating an outsole 17 of the present invention.

[0106] FIG. 5A illustrated a bottom view of the outsole 17, while FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C shows a side view according to two different embodiments of the present invention, without and with a plateau 22 respectively.

[0107] The outsole 17 is configured to be arranged on the lower surface 3 of the constructive sole 2, covering it fully. The forefoot section 5 of the outsole 17 comprises auxetic cutting 18. Importantly, such auxetic cutting should be identical or at least close to identical to the auxetic cutting 18 in the insole 10 of the high heeled shoe 1. The auxetic cutting 18 in the outsole 17 allows the toe-section 19 of the outsole 17 to extend in at least one direction, such as in two directions, when pressure is applied on the toe-section 19. How many, and which directions it can extend in, depends on the auxetic cutting pattern.

[0108] FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of an outsole 17 further comprising a plateau 22 arranged of a lower surface of the forefoot section 5, wherein the plateau 22 and the outsole 17 both comprise auxetic cutting.

[0109] Most high heeled shoes have a pointed or at least rounded forefoot section to make the shoe look smaller and give it a feminine look. Reference is made to FIG. 6A, illustrating a top view of an outline of the shape of a pointed high heeled shoe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of a standard shape of a pointed high heeled shoe.

[0110] A longitudinal axis 20 extends through the high heeled shoe 1, such that the heel section 6 and the arch section 7 of the high heeled shoe 1 is divided into two substantially symmetrical parts by the longitudinal axis 20.

[0111] Three transverse lines cross the longitudinal axis and divide the high heeled shoe into four sections: a heel section 6, an arch section 7 and a forefoot section 5 comprising a toe-section 19. The toe section 19 comprises two outer edges 25, 26.

[0112] In FIG. 6B, the two outer edges 25, 26 of the toe-section 19 both extend towards the longitudinal axis 20. One outer edge 26 crosses the longitudinal axis 20 and meet with the other outer edge in a pointed tip 27. In normal high heeled shoes, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 6B, the outer edge of the forefoot section always to some extent bends towards the longitudinal axis to meet with the other outer edge of the forefoot section, which also extends towards the longitudinal axis. Normally, at least one of these lines extends across the longitudinal axis, such that they meet in a pointed end which is not on the longitudinal axis.

[0113] In FIG. 6A, a first outer edge 25 of the toe-section 19 extends in a direction which extends away from the longitudinal axis 20 and a second outer edge 26 extend towards the longitudinal axis 20. The second outer edge 26 further extends across the longitudinal axis 20 to meet with the first outer edge 25 and form a pointed tip 27. In some embodiments, the first outer edge 25 is not extending away from, but is parallel with the longitudinal axis 20.

[0114] FIG. 6 shows an outline of a left high heeled shoe 1 and therefore the first outer edge 25 is to the right. However, in a right high heeled shoe 1, the first outer edge 25 would be to the left. As a general rule, the first outer edge 25 is the edge configured to be closest to the big toe of a user.

[0115] The shape illustrated in FIG. 6A is recurring for almost all elements of the high heeled shoe of the present invention, including the constructive sole 2, the insole 10, the outsole 17, the upper part 9 and the plateau 22.

[0116] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms “comprising” or “comprises” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as “a” or “an” etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS USED

[0117] 1 High heeled shoe [0118] 2 constructive sole [0119] 3 lower surface of constructive sole, insole, outsole or plateau [0120] 4 upper surface of constructive sole, insole, outsole or plateau [0121] 5 forefoot section [0122] 6 heel section [0123] 7 arch section [0124] 8 heel [0125] 9 upper part [0126] 10 insole [0127] 11 first auxetic area [0128] 12 second auxetic area [0129] 13 third auxetic area [0130] 14 first layer of insole [0131] 15 second layer of insole [0132] 16 third layer of insole [0133] 17 outsole [0134] 18 auxetic cutting [0135] 19 toe-section [0136] 20 longitudinal axis [0137] 21 indentation [0138] 22 Plateau [0139] 23 first pillow-like area [0140] 24 second pillow-like area [0141] 25 first outer edge [0142] 26 second outer edge [0143] 27 pointed tip [0144] 28 joined auxetic area