Heel protector

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A shielding cup configured to be attached to a stiletto heel tip, the cup comprising: an open top; a bottom base having an inner surface and an outer surface; sidewalls extending from the bottom base to the open top, the sidewalls having an inner surface and an outer surface; and an inner cavity bounded by the inner surface of the sidewalls and the inner surface of the bottom base, the inner cavity configured to receive the heel tip through the open top, wherein a portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is configured to be more flexible than a portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the bottom base by tapering the sidewalls from the bottom base to the open top such that a thickness as measured from the inner surface of the sidewall to the outer surface of the sidewall of the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is smaller than a thickness as measured from the inner surface of the sidewall to the outer surface of the sidewall of portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the bottom base, and wherein a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the open top is not greater than a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the bottom base in a relaxed configuration when the shielding cup is not attached to the heel tip.

2. The shielding cup of claim 1, wherein the open top has an outer perimeter not substantially smaller than an outer perimeter of the bottom base.

3. The shielding cup of claim 1, wherein the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top has a durometer value less than a durometer value of a material of the shielding cup adjacent the bottom base.

4. The shielding cup of claim 1, wherein a depth of the inner cavity between an edge of the inner surface of the sidewalls adjacent the open top and an edge of the inner surface of sidewalls adjacent the bottom base is between about 4.0 mm and about 12.0 mm.

5. The shielding cup of claim 1, wherein the open top has an outer perimeter substantially smaller than an outer perimeter of the bottom base in a relaxed configuration when not attached to the heel tip.

6. The shielding cup of claim 1, wherein the thickness as measured from the inner surface of the sidewall to the outer surface of the sidewall of the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is configured such that a width of the open top can be varied to accommodate stiletto heel tips of different sizes.

7. A shielding cup configured to be attached to a stiletto heel tip, the cup comprising: an open top having a first width in a first configuration when the cup is not attached to the heel tip and a second width in a second configuration when the cup is attached to the heel tip; a bottom base having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein a width of the inner surface of the bottom base is not substantially greater than the second width; sidewalls extending from the bottom base to the open top, the sidewalls having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the sidewalls being tapered along a longitudinal axis of the cup towards the open top such that a thickness, as measured from the inner surface of the sidewall to the outer surface of the sidewall, of the sidewalls adjacent the open top is smaller than a thickness, as measured from the inner surface of the sidewall to the outer surface of the sidewall, of the sidewalls adjacent the bottom base; and an inner cavity bounded by the inner surface of the sidewalls and the inner surface of the bottom base, the inner cavity configured to receive the heel tip through the open top, the inner cavity having a depth between the inner surface of the bottom base and the inner surface of the sidewalls adjacent the open top, wherein the sidewalls adjacent the open top are more flexible than the sidewalls adjacent the bottom base such that a heel tip having a width larger than the first width can be inserted into the inner cavity and secured by a force provided by the shielding cup along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cup, and wherein a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the open top is not greater than a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the bottom base in a relaxed configuration when the shielding cup is not attached to the heel tip.

8. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein the depth of the cup is between about 4.0 mm and about 12.0 mm.

9. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the sidewalls is between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm.

10. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein the width of the inner surface of the bottom base is between about 7.0 mm and about 16.0 mm.

11. The shielding cup of claim 7, comprising a polyurethane material having a hardness of 90 shore A or other abrasion resistant material.

12. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein a material of the shielding cup adjacent the open top has a durometer value less than a durometer value of a material of the shielding cup adjacent the bottom base.

13. The shielding cup of claim 7, further comprising an adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the sidewalls, the inner surface of the bottom base, or both the inner surface of the sidewalls and the inner surface of the bottom base.

14. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein the open top has an outer perimeter not substantially smaller than an outer perimeter of the bottom base.

15. The shielding cup of claim 7, wherein the open top has an outer perimeter substantially smaller than an outer perimeter of the bottom base in a relaxed configuration when not attached to the heel tip.

16. A method for repairing a stiletto heel having a heel tip disposed at the end of a heel post, the heel post having a first end coupled with the stiletto shoe and a second end adjacent to the tip, the method comprising: providing a shielding cup comprising a bottom base of durable, abrasion-resistant material, side walls extending away from the bottom base to an open top having a first width in a first configuration when the cup is not attached to the heel tip and a second width in a second configuration when the cup is attached to the heel tip, a portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top being configured to be more flexible than a portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the bottom base by tapering the sidewalls from the bottom base to the open top such that a thickness of the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is smaller than a thickness of portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the bottom base; and placing the shielding cup over the heel tip, or placing the shielding cup over the heel tip and a portion of the heel post such that the heel tip is covered and the open top is disposed between the first and second end of the heel post at a location closer to the second end of the heel post than the first end of the heel post, wherein, the first width of the open top is configured to be smaller than a width of the heel tip and/or a portion of the heel post such that the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is configured to expand to receive the heel tip and/or the portion of the heel post, wherein the shielding cup is configured to constrict around the heel tip and/or the portion of the heel post when placed over the heel tip, or over the heel tip and the portion of the heel post thereby providing radial forces to secure the shielding cup, and wherein a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the open top is not greater than a size of the inner cavity adjacent to the bottom base in a relaxed configuration when the shielding cup is not attached to the heel tip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the thickness of the portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the open top is configured such that the first width of the open top can be varied to accommodate heel tips and/or heel posts of different sizes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The structures and methods of using certain embodiments of the inventions will be better understood with the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying illustrations, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a representation of a high heel stiletto shoe.

(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the shielding cup of the heel protector according to one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 2B is a perspective and cross sectional view of another embodiment of the shielding cup with an adhesive layer applied to the base and lower portion of the cup's side walls.

(5) FIG. 2C is a top view of the base of the shielding cup shaped like a horseshoe, a common heel shape.

(6) FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with slit(s) in the walls.

(7) FIG. 2E is a side view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with the walls of the shielding cup tapering inward toward the center.

(8) FIG. 2F is a cross sectional view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with the inner cavity of the shielding cup including steps.

(9) FIG. 2G is a cross sectional view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with the side walls covered with a layer of adhesive.

(10) FIG. 2H is a cross sectional view of a variation of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2E, shown with an upper portion of the side walls having a lower durometer than the lower portion of the side walls and base.

(11) FIG. 2I is a cross sectional view of a variation of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with an inside base with a concave surface.

(12) FIG. 2J is a cross sectional view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with an example of a friction-enhancing structure on the exterior side walls of the cup.

(13) FIG. 2K is a cross sectional view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown with another example of a friction-enhancing structure on the exterior side walls of the cup.

(14) FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of FIG. 2A or 2C attached to the lower part of the heel by an elongated self-fusing member.

(15) FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the shielding cup in FIGS. 2A and 2B attached to the lower part of the heel by an adhesive layer.

(16) FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a cup structure configured to shrink into engagement with a lower part of the heel.

(17) FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the shrinkable shielding cup embodiment in FIG. 4A, shown with an adhesive layer applied to the base and lower portions of the cup's side walls.

(18) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the collapsible heat-concentrating accessory in an expanded position.

(19) FIG. 5B is an elevational view of the collapsible heat-concentrating accessory in a collapsed position.

(20) FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the elongate self-fusing member, shown with a guide line to indicate how to arrange it on the shielding cup and lower part of the heel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(21) FIG. 1 represents a stiletto shoe 10 of conventional construction. The heel 16 of the shoe comprises of a heel post 14, which can be covered by a fabric layer, and a heel tip 12. The heel tip 12 is typically made of a hard rubber material such as polyurethane and is secured to the heel post 14 by a metal nail 28 (see FIG. 3A) that is embedded in the rubber material. The heel tip 12 may represent all degrees of wear, ranging from brand new to severely worn, where the bottom of the heel post 14 is exposed and mutilated from impact with the ground. In a severe degree of wear, the metal nail 28 is all that remains of the heel tip 12. The embodiments of the present invention attach over the lower part of the heel 16 and protect it from wear.

(22) The heel protector of some of the embodiments includes a shielding cup 18, 18a comprising of flexible side walls 22 and attached to the heel 16 by a layer of adhesive 24, by radial force applied by tapering walls, or by an elongate self-fusing member 26. In some embodiments, the shielding cup 18, 18a attached to the heel 16 through use of a collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 and method of heat-shrinking said cup 18, 18a to the heel 16.

(23) A. Shielding Cup Attached by an Elongate Member

(24) The shielding cup 18, 18a may be formed of any suitable structural material such as hard rubber, plastic, and/or metal. Suitable materials include high-density polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any abrasion resistant material. The shielding cup 18, 18a can be reinforced with another material such as a metal or another polymer. The base 20 of the cup 18, 18a is typically about 1 mm to about 4 mm in thickness and has a maximum width (e.g., diameter) ranging from about 7 mm to about 16 mm. The side walls 22 of the cup 18, 18a range from about 1 mm to about 3 mm in thickness and about 4 mm to about 12 mm in depth inside the cup. These dimensions cover the common range of stiletto heel tip sizes and are designed to emulate the appearance of a heel tip to avoid noticeability. The thickness of the side walls 22 may be uniform or tapered, for example, having a varying dimension along a direction that extends upwardly toward the open top of the shielding cup 18, 18a.

(25) In one embodiment, the cup 18 has a depth from an open top to a substantially flat base inside the cup of between about 4 mm and about 8 mm, with straight side walls 22. In this embodiment, there preferably is one or more ridges on the exterior surface of at least a portion of the walls 22. Preferably this embodiment comprises polyurethane or other material having a hardness of about 90 shore A. This cup embodiment can be coupled with any of the elongate members described herein, which can be used to take up space between the cup 18 and the heel, to secure the cup 18 to the heel, or both to take up space and secure the cup 18 to the heel. In one embodiment, the cup 18 is provided with an elongate member that is between about 5 cm and about 10 cm long and that is between about 6 mm and about 25 mm wide.

(26) The cup 18, 18a includes a base 20 and side walls 22 which form a circle in FIGS. 2A and 2B but form a horseshoe or D-shape in FIG. 2C. The shielding cup 18, 18a is not limited to these two shapes, but varies to accommodate different heel shapes. The base 20 and side walls 22 of the shielding cup 18, 18a connect to form an open top with a top rim 23 and cavity for receiving the lower end of a heel 16. The base 20 of the cup 18, 18a may be flat or concave upward. The cup 18, 18a serves to provide a barrier between the heel 16 and ground, protecting the heel tip 12 or nail 28 from impact and abrasion caused by contact with the ground.

(27) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2F, the inner cavity of the shielding cup 18d can comprise of steps 40 to further accommodate different heel sizes. Each level of steps 40 can form a perimeter conforming to the shape of the shielding cup 18d and gradually increases in perimeter as the steps 40 extend upward to the open top. Alternatively, steps 40 closer to the base 20 can have a shape conforming to the nail 28 or other internal structure and steps 40 closer to the top rim 23 can have a shape conforming to that of the top rim 23. The steps 40 collectively form a plurality of flat surfaces that are oriented to securely hold heels of different sizes. The flat steps 40 will allow the bottom of the heel 16 to stay parallel to the bottom base 20 of the cup 18d.

(28) In the embodiment of FIG. 2D, the side walls 22 of the shielding cup 18b may have one or multiple slits 25 that run perpendicular or in an oblique manner to the base 20. These slit(s) 25 provide flexibility or slack to the upper portion of the cup so it can accommodate a range of heel sizes, including some sizes that are larger than an unexpanded size of the rim 23. The slit(s) 25 may be contiguous with the edge of the cup's top rim 23, e.g., having an upper end at the rim 23, a lower end disposed between the top rim 23 and the base 20 and a length there between. The length of the slit 25 can be between about 50% and about 75% of the depth of the cup 18. In other embodiments, the slit 25 can be disposed in between the top rim 23 and the base 20. The slits could also be deep enough to go through the thickness of the wall. In this case it is important to have enough strength in the wall to avoid premature rupture.

(29) In other embodiments of the shielding cups 18, 18a shown in FIGS. 2B, 2G, and 3B, either the side walls 22 or both the side walls 22 and the base 20 may be covered with a layer of adhesive 24. The adhesive 24 extends upwardly from the base 20 to approximately one-half to the full height of the inner surface of the side wall 22.

(30) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2E, the shielding cup 18c has side walls 22 that taper or angle inward toward the center such that the diameter of the base 20 may be substantially larger than the relaxed diameter of the cup's top rim 23 but not substantially larger than the expanded diameter of the cup's top rim when a heel tip is inserted. The base 20 may be flat or concave upward as shown in FIG. 2I. The concave shape of the inside base 41 of shielding cup 18f accommodates heels with concave bases or extremely damaged heels that have an exposed nail.

(31) The diameter of the cup's top rim 23 may be stretched to a diameter equivalent or greater than the diameter of the base 20. Inserting a heel tip 12 and/or heel post 14 with a diameter larger than the relaxed diameter of the cup's open rim 23 will constrict the cup 18c around the heel tip 12 and/or heel post 14, providing radial force to secure the cup 18c to the heel 16. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 2E, an elongate self-fusing member 26 may not be required to secure the cup 18c to the heel 16.

(32) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2H, the shielding cup 18e has side walls 22 with a tapered upper portion 38. This upper portion 38 can have a lower durometer than the bottom portion 39 of the side walls 22 and base 20. The lower durometer provides more flexibility to the upper portion 38 of the cup 18e to accommodate different heel sizes. A transition line or zone 37 is provided between the lower durometer portion and a higher durometer portion disposed below the line or zone 37. The higher durometer portion is configured to be more robust and wear resistant. The lower durometer can be achieved by providing two materials with different durometers such as 90 shore A and 60 shore A, by mechanically changing the property of the upper section such as by reducing the thickness, or by other known techniques.

(33) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the shielding cup 18 is attached to the lower end of the heel by inserting the heel 16 into the cavity of the cup and securing it with an elongate self-fusing member 26. The self-fusing member 26 may be made of a self-fusing material, such as silicone, that readily binds to itself upon contact. In certain embodiments, the fusing is enhanced by cross-linking, which can be effectively provided when exposed to a catalyst. Other surface modifications such as plasma treatment or etching could also improve adhesion. The material does not damage the heel fabric after it is removed. The self-fusing member 26 may be attached to the cup 18, 18a or provided separately when assembled for commercial use. The cup 18, 18a is fastened to the lower end of the heel by stretching and contracting the self-fusing member 26 tightly around a portion of the cup 18, 18a and a portion of the heel 16 just above the top rim 23 of the cup 18, 18a. The self-fusing member 26 may have a visible guide line 44 shown in FIG. 6 to guide the user on how to divide the member between the cup 18, 18a and a portion of the heel 16 just above the top rim 23 of the cup 18, 18a. Also, the side walls 22 of the cup 18, 18a may have marks in the form of one or more lines to indicate where a portion of the self-fusing member should be positioned. The self-fusing member 26 applies a circumferential and radial force around the top rim 23 and side walls 22 of the cup 18, 18a, enclosing the shielding cup 18, 18a around the heel 16. In some embodiments, the radial force can be about 5 lbs or more. The radial force provided can range from about 5 lbs to about 30 lbs. In certain embodiments, the radial force can be about 30 lbs or more. In one embodiment, stretching the self-fusing member 26 activates the self-fusing or self adhering property of the material, e.g., by cross-linking, and allows it to create a strong, tight hold for the cup 18, 18a and heel 16. In one method, the self-fusing member 26 is wrapped around the heel 16 for several revolutions to achieve a secure attachment. In one embodiment, an interface between two portions of the member 26 is provided of at least one full perimeter of the heel 16 to provide a secure engagement. Preferably the self-fusing member 26 overlaps both the shielding cup 18, 18a and heel 16 for at least a portion of its length.

(34) In one technique, the self-fusing member 26 can be wrapped around the lower portion of the heel 16 to create a greater heel perimeter. This minimizes any space between the enclosed heel 16 and inner perimeter of the cup 18, 18a before attachment. This technique can expand the variety of shoe configurations with which embodiments can be used. An adhesive layer 24, as previously described and shown in FIG. 3B, may be used to further secure the cup 18, 18a to the heel 16.

(35) In another embodiment of the shielding cup 18g shown in FIGS. 2J and 2K, the outer portion of the side walls 22 of the cup may have ridges, grooves or any friction-enhancing surface to help grip and secure the inner surface of the elongate self-fusing member 26 to both an outer surface of the shoe 10 and side walls 22 of the cup. This prevents the self-fusing member 26 from slipping and loosening after attachment, especially when there is increased force on the cup 18 or the heel 16 such as when running, driving, or walking downhill. This friction-enhancing surface or structure 27 can be disposed on the same location, e.g., the same plane as the top rim 23 of the cup or in between the top rim 23 and the base 20. The friction-enhancing structure 27 can be in the form of protrusions (e.g., ridges, bumps or lips), depressions (e.g., groove or cuts), or any other surface deformations that promote friction. The height of the protrusions from the side wall(s) 22 of the cup to the crest of the protrusion can range from approximately 0.2 mm to 1 mm. The depth of the depressions from the side wall 22 to the bottom of the depression can range from approximately 0.05 mm to 0.75 mm. These structures 27 can have sharp or rounded edges and can be made of rigid or more flexible material. Additionally, the friction-enhancing surface can either be a uniform or randomly shaped structure(s) along the perimeter of the side wall(s) 22 of the cup 18.

(36) The slits 25 previously discussed and shown in FIG. 2D may be used with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A to enhance the flexibility of the upper portion of the cup 18b so it can accommodate a range of heel sizes. The slits 25 may be contiguous with the edge of the cup's top rim 23 or in between the edge of the top rim 23 and the base 20. Other techniques for enhancing the flexibility of an upper portion of the cup 18, 18a can also be used rather than the slits 25, such as using a low durometer material for the side walls 22.

(37) B. Heat-Shrink Shielding Cup and Method for Attachment

(38) Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The shielding cup 18, 18a is made of a heat-shrink material and attaches to the heel 16 by applying heat to the cup 18, 18a, thereby shrinking the cup to conform to the size and shape of the underlying heel 16. When heated, the heat-shrink cup 18, 18a creates a tight seal around the heel tip 12. The shrinking of the cup 18, 18a also provides a sufficient mechanical connection between the cup 18, 18a and the heel 16 to endure at least a short period of use, such as one or several days, until other more permanent repairs can be made. The heat shrinking embodiments can generate similar forces to those set forth above in connection with the use of the elongate self-fusing member 26.

(39) The heat-shrink cup may be manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer (such as FEP, PTFE or Kynar), PVC, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, silicone elastomer or Viton. The shrink temperature of the cup 18, 18a is typically close to or at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or 60 degrees Celsius, so that a consumer is able to use this embodiment with a hot air hair dryer, a standard household good. Shrink tubing with higher temperatures are also possible and require heat sources with higher temperatures. The shrink ratio of the material preferably is about 3:1 but in some embodiments a ratio of about 2:1 is adequate. The thickness and height range of the walls can be identical to the previous embodiment. The base of the cup is typically about 1 mm to about 4 mm in thickness and has a diameter (or width) ranging from about 13 mm to about 22 mm. The thickness of the side walls 22 may be uniform or tapered, for example, having a varying dimension along a direction that extends upwardly toward the open top of the shielding cup 18, 18a. Additionally, the side walls 22 can taper or angle inward toward the center.

(40) FIG. 4A shows the heat shrink cup 18, 18a attached to the heel tip 12 and the bottom portion of a heel post 14 after it has shrunk to its final configuration. An adhesive layer 24, as previously described, may be used to further secure the heat-shrink cup 18, 18a to the heel 16. FIG. 4B shows the heat-shrink embodiment similar to FIG. 4A, but with the adhesive layer 24.

(41) In the foregoing embodiments, the cup 18, 18a is configured to shrink upon application of heat. While this is a preferred configuration for shrinking the cup 18, 18a other modes for triggering and/or fully completing constriction of the cup 18, 18a onto the heel are possible; any heating source that will create a directed temperature of 60 degrees Celsius may be used. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 for directing heat at the cup 18, 18a. The accessory 30 can be used with a blow dryer. The accessory 30 can be used to concentrate hot air to achieve the minimum temperature required to activate the heat-shrink cup 18, 18a. The accessory 30 has an inverted narrow end 42 and is made of a flexible, heat-resistant material, such as silicone. The accessory 30 has concentric accordion pleats 32 allowing it to take on various configurations when expanded and collapsed. An expanded structure is illustrated in FIG. 5A and a collapsed structure is shown in FIG. 5B. Other heat sources such as radiation heating or other methods known to those skilled in the art are also possible.

(42) As shown in FIG. 5A, the typical configuration of the collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 when expanded for heat-shrinking is a cone shape where the narrower half of the cone is folded into itself, forming a V-shape when viewed from the side. In use, the mouth of the blow dryer is placed in the wider opening 43 of the accessory 30, and when the blow dryer is switched on, the airflow is concentrated to the narrow opening 42 of the accessory 30.

(43) The narrow opening 42 of the collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 has a mesh screen or crisscross pattern 34 in the material that can serve as a resting plate for the cup 18, 18a and a positioning device to prevent the cup 18, 18a from falling through the accessory 30. Additionally, the accessory 30 has air vents 36 surrounding the rim of the narrow opening 42 of the accessory 30 which are used to deliver heat higher up to the side wall(s) 22 of the cup 18, 18a. These air vents 36 allow the hot air to flow in a multidirectional pattern rather than solely in an upward direction from the narrow opening 42.

(44) The heat shrink material is very durable after shrinking, providing a strong attachment to a heel, and is discreet because it conforms to a heel's shape and size. Additionally, the heat-shrink cup has a quick application time, such as less than a minute, and can potentially have a lifespan equivalent to that of a heel tip. For these reasons, this embodiment can rival a permanent heel tip replacement and potentially become the primary solution to heel tip replacement.

(45) In various embodiments, the shielding cup may be circular, horseshoe, or any other shape given to high heels. Additionally, the shielding cup and elongate member may be made in different colors and may be decorated with designs such as logos or various black and white or colorful patterns.