HEEL PAD INSERT AND A METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A heel pad made of a viscoelastic polymer that absorbs shocks and prevents impact related injuries through a low, truncated profile that enables a user to continue to use the original insole. The viscoelastic polymer provides adhesive properties that adheres a rear portion of the original insole to the inside of the shoe, while the leading edge is adjacent between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals during use.

Claims

1. A heel pad comprising: a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties.

2. The heel pad of claim 1, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge.

3. The heel pad of claim 2, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the trailing edge.

4. The heel pad of claim 1, wherein the uniform thickness is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches.

5. A method of supporting a heel of a user wearing a shoe, the method comprising: providing a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the curved trailing edge; removing an insole of the shoe; adhering said viscoelastic polymer to an underside of the insole so that the trailing edge is adjacent a rear-most portion of the insole; and adhering the viscoelastic polymer to the shoe where the rear-most portion of the insole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leading edge 20 on the shock absorbing material that ends in between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a heel pad 100 made of shock absorbing viscoelastic polymeric material 10 having a solid U-shape or semioval shape so that the leading edge 20 is adjacent to the mid sole of the shoe under the original top layer insole, while the trailing edge is adjacent the rear area of the shoe. The semioval shape may be planar with a unitform thickness. Accordingly, the specifications and the size of the heel pad differs between shoe or feet sizes.

[0030] The viscoelastic polymeric material length starts from the rear end of the inside of the shoe, adjacent with trailing edge 25, and extends to the leading edge 20 adjacent between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals. The length will be different size according to the user's foot size.

[0031] The shock absorbing pad will compress and bulge when the user steps on the pad with their heels. The compression prevents the body weight shifting forward to the ball of the foot which causes discomfort and instability in the feet and leg joints. The shock absorbing material 10 is all viscoelastic polymer material 10 adapted to prevent change in hardness and feel.

[0032] The shock absorbing material 10 is sticky on all sides allowing the original insole and the shoes midsole to stick on the heel pad 100 preventing movement and slippage of the insoles when the user is moving abruptly.

[0033] A method of using the present invention may include the following. The heel pad 100 disclosed above may be provided. A method of supporting a heel of a user wearing a shoe, the method includes the following: providing a viscoelastic polymer 10 having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge 25, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge 20 is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the curved trailing edge; removing the original insole 50 of the shoe; adhering said viscoelastic polymer to an underside of the insole 50 so that the trailing edge 25 is adjacent a rear-most portion of the insole 50; and adhering the viscoelastic polymer to the shoe where the rear-most portion of the insole 50.

[0034] While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

[0035] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.