APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS FOR SECURING THE HEEL OF A FOOT WITHIN FOOTWEAR

Abstract

A device for directly securing the heel of the foot of a wearer to the interior of a rear heel cap of a shoe. The device can include a first portion for adhering directly to the skin of the heel of the wearer's foot. The device can include a second portion for adhering directly to the material of the interior heel of the shoe. The device can be particularly useful in connection with shoes leaving the upper portion of the foot exposed without securing straps and having high heels. The device is subject to a shear force between the first and second portions when worn as opposed to a tensile force more commonly exhibited when a base of an implement is attached to the sole of a shoe.

Claims

1. A device for securing a heel portion of the heel of the wearer's foot to a heel cap of footwear, comprising: a foot attaching portion including: a first attaching surface of the foot attaching portion having an adhesive for adhering the foot attaching portion directly to the heel of a person's foot; and a second mating surface of the foot attaching portion including a first mechanically interlocking surface; a shoe attaching portion including; a first attaching surface of the shoe attaching portion having an adhesive for adhering the shoe attaching portion directly to the interior of a heel cap of a shoe; and a second mating surface of the shoe attaching portion including a second mechanically interlocking surface.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first attaching surface of the foot attaching portion is configured to attach directly to the skin of the heel of the wearer using bio-compatible adhesive.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanically interlocking surfaces each include a hook and/or loop mechanically interlocking surface.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second mating surface of the shoe attaching portion includes a fabric material.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the fabric material includes a knit fabric material.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the first mating surface of the foot attaching portion includes a plurality of rough or hook features for mating with the knit fabric surface of the first mating surface.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a portion defined by a bean shaped outer perimeter.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the shoe attaching portion is bean shaped and the foot attaching portion is rectangular shaped.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the device is less than 5 millimeters.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the device is defined by a profile of a rear heel cap of a shoe to which the device is to be attached and is less than 1.5 inches.

11. A shoe comprising the device according to claim 1, wherein the shoe attaching portion of the device is attached directly to a heel cap of a rear portion of the shoe when worn by the wearer.

12. A kit of devices for securing a heel cap of a shoe to a heel of a foot of a wearer of the shoe, comprising a shoe attaching portion sized, shaped and configured to adhere directly to the interior of a heel cap of a shoe upper; a foot attaching portion sized, shaped and configured to adhere directly to the heel of the foot of the wearer, wherein: the shoe attaching portion has a shoe attaching surface and a mating surface; the foot attaching portion has a foot attaching surface and a mating surface; and the mating surface of the shoe attaching portion is configured to mate with the mating surface of the foot attaching portion to directly mechanically secure the heel of the foot to the heel cap of the shoe.

13. A kit of devices for securing the heel cap of the shoe to the heel of the foot of the wearer according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of the foot attaching portions for removable replacement to the heel of the wearer's foot.

14. A kit of devices for securing the heel cap of the shoe to the heel of the foot of the wearer according to claim 12, wherein the shoe attaching portion includes an adhesive for more permanent adhesion directly to the interior of a heel cap of a shoe upper as compared to the permanency of direct adhesion of the foot attaching portion adhered directly to the heel of the foot of the wearer.

15. A kit of devices for securing the heel cap of the shoe to the heel of the foot of the wearer according to claim 12, wherein the shoe attaching portion is subject to a shear force relative to the foot attaching portion during use.

16. A kit of devices for securing the heel cap of the shoe to the heel of the foot of the wearer according to claim 15, wherein the shoe attaching devices are designed to be disposed over the rear portion of the heel of the wearer during use so as to be oriented substantially vertically with respect to a sole of the shoe when worn.

17. A method of manufacturing a device for directly securing a heel of a foot of a wearer to an interior heel cap of a shoe upper, comprising: selecting a bio-compatible adhesive for adhering a foot attaching portion of the device directly to the heel of the foot of the wearer; selecting an adhesive for adhering a shoe attaching portion of the device directly to the interior surface of a heel cap of the shoe; manufacturing the foot attaching portion including: a first surface of the foot attaching portion having the bio-compatible adhesive for adhering the foot attaching portion directly to the heel of the wearer's foot; and a second mating surface of the foot attaching portion including a first mechanically interlocking surface; a shoe attaching portion including; a first surface of the shoe attaching portion having the adhesive for adhering the shoe attaching portion directly to the interior of the heel cap of the shoe; and a second mating surface of the shoe attaching portion including a second mechanically interlocking surface.

18. A method of manufacturing a device according to claim 17, further comprising: selecting the first and second interlocking surfaces based on a shear force applied thereto when the shoe and device is worn by the wearer.

19. A method of manufacturing a device according to claim 18, wherein the shear force includes a sliding force of the heel of the foot against the interior of the heel cap of the shoe.

20. A method of manufacturing a device according to claim 17, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces include hook and loop features.

21. A method of manufacturing according to claim 17, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces include a fabric material.

22. A method of manufacturing according to claim 17, further comprising consideration of the shape of the heel of the foot to create a bean shaped device that extends over the top of the heel and around the sides of the heel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a traditional shoe including a separable fastener device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,333;

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of a conventional shoe;

[0039] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a heel attachment implant device;

[0040] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate a shoe attaching portion of a heel securing device for attaching directly to a heel cap of a shoe;

[0041] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a foot attaching portion of a heel securing device for attaching directly to the heel of a foot of a wearer of the shoe;

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates the mating of the foot attaching device and the shoe attaching device and related shear forces applied thereto during wear thereof;

[0043] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example of a shoe securing device;

[0044] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate dimensions of the bean shaped shoe securing device along with various variations of force and characteristic zones and disposed along a length and width of the dimensions of the device;

[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates a shoe attaching or foot attaching portion including a ridge; and

[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates a bean-shaped show attaching portion including a ridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE FIGURES

[0047] There is a need to more reliably secure a wearer's heel within footwear. This need is of particular importance with regards to high-heeled women's shoes, in particular those that leave the top of the foot exposed without any foot-securing mechanism, such as an ankle strap. This need goes beyond those arrangements previously discussed that simply provide cushioning comfort for the foot, secure the base of the foot to the sole of the shoe, or prevent a sock from bunching within the shoe. And, this need goes well beyond shaping the interior of the shoe by providing arch and foot base implements to secure a person's foot within a common fitted shoe, boot, clog, or sandal. In fact, some embodiments of this invention are directed to instances where a sock, hosiery, or stocking, are not worn. Therefore, in such instances direct securement of the wearer's heel to the shoe may be required without the use of a sock, stocking or intervening material other than the securing device itself.

[0048] Rather, women wearing fashionable high heeled footwear need a solution relevant to their frequent use of these high heeled footwear. These solutions relate to both their visually appreciable fashion desires, but also to the safety concerns that go hand-in-hand with women's footwear. The balance between their desires to wear fashionable footwear also requires a practical solution to the safety and shortcomings required to reliably secure the heel of the wearer's foot within these high heeled shoes.

[0049] Thus, several innovative embodiments disclosed hereinafter by the inventor include subtle, fashionably practical, and superior footwear implements. Although not limited thereto, several embodiments illustrated include superior apparatus, products, features thereof, and related methods with particular advantages and utility in the women's fashion footwear industry as compared to the previously discussed options. As such, a discussion of various examples are made with reference to the figures and include a discussion of the various advantages and improvements discovered by the inventor of this patent application during personal use and continuous design improvements thereof.

[0050] Important to several embodiments disclosed herein is an affordable, subtle, and practical solution to the various downfalls just discussed that also does not intrude on the fashion aspects of high heels presented by many current fashion footwear designs. The appeal of the traditional pump is that the entire top of the foot, starting at the toe-box, is exposed. Thus, some current products that propose putting an after-market strap across the top of the foot to hold the foot in place detract from the original clean-cut style and appeal of the traditional pump. Consistent therewith, several of the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an implement that directly and releasably secures the heel of the wearer's foot directly to the rear heel cap of a high heeled shoe worn thereby.

[0051] Various securement implements disclosed herein can be advantageously low-profile and conform to both the heel of the wearer's foot as well as the interior of the heel cap of the footwear applied thereto. As a result, and benefit thereof, the implement can be used virtually unnoticed by others when the footwear is worn, thereby avoiding distraction away from the footwear itself. Using the implement to secure the wearer's heel to the heel cap of the footwear also simultaneously and subtly supplies the functionality of its purpose to retain the heel of the wearer securely within the heel cap of the shoe upper. Additional advantages and unique features will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art after a review of the following disclosure and as clearly set forth in the appended claims.

[0052] Wearing shoes with relatively high heels, and which also lack upper foot coverage or restraining straps, often results in the wearer having a relatively hard time walking in those shoes. In fact, the relative difficulty of walking may be proportional to the height of the shoe heel, as the increased incline causes the feet to slide further forward, and the heels of the wearer's feet tend to slip out of the shoes as she walks.

[0053] Various embodiments disclosed herein are intended to solve a heel slippage problem that presents itself in women's shoes that leave the top of the foot exposed from the toe box up, and that consist of no other fastening mechanism to keep the foot in place, such as a strap. Thus, as such, the securement devices disclosed herein and set forth in the claims can also be regarded as the only securement device that supplements that of the original shoe.

[0054] Pumps, wedges, and even certain flats can all be included within this description and the various securement devices are not limited to a particular kind, type or application of shoe, of course. Certain problems in high-heels are emphasized and of particular importance to some embodiments because the problem is more exaggerated in heels due to the incline of the shoe and the resulting sliding of the foot. However, because the upper portion of the foot is exposed in some women's flat shoes, heel slippage can be a problem with flats as well.

[0055] Often, women cannot comfortably wear high-heels that lack upper foot coverage because the heels of their feet (i.e. the foot heels) tend to slip out of the back of the shoe. There is a large variety of shoes available for women. High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heels, typically 2 inches (5 cm) or more above the toes, commonly worn by women in the workplace and for social occasions. Variants include kitten heels (typically 1-2 inches high) and stiletto heels (with a very narrow heel post) and wedge heels (with a wedge-shaped sole rather than a heel post). Mules are shoes or slippers with no fitting around the heel (i.e. they are backless without a heel cap). Slingbacks are shoes which are secured by a strap behind the heel, rather than over the top of the foot. Ballet flats, known in the UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel. Court shoes, known in the United States as pumps, are typically high-heeled, slip-on dress shoes.

[0056] A high-heeled shoe positions the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the wearer's toes. As mentioned, women cannot comfortably wear these high-heeled shoes (specifically, those which lack upper foot coverage and have no foot-securing straps) because the heels of their feet tend to slip out. Usually, this leaves women with two options: (1) they must make a conscious effort while walking to push their feet back towards the rear of their shoe with each step to keep the heel of their foot secured therein; or, (2) they must scrunch their toes and try to use the balls of their feet to grip the bottom of the shoe with each step. Both options are extremely tiring with the latter, in particular, often causing foot cramps. These options also cannot be comfortably sustained over a long term. As a result, women's feet continue to slip out of the heel of the shoe with each step due to the inherent design limitations perpetuated as the height of the heels of women's high-heel shoes increase.

[0057] In addition to the discomfort associated with the aforementioned, there are also audible and visual issues associated with such discomfort and disengagement of the heel of the shoe from the heel of the woman's foot. For example, a result of having the back of a wearer's foot come lose from the heel of the shoe results in a loud and disruptive noise as the person walks. This loud, disruptive, and extremely unflattering noise can make a slapping noise often associated with the use of sandals (e.g. the rightly termed flip-flops).

[0058] In addition to the audible nuisance to others (and associated wearer embarrassment) caused by the disengagement and reengagement noise of the shoe, there are also physical dangers associated with this unreliable lack of securement of the high-heeled shoe to the wearer's feet. For example, when the heel of the wearer's foot becomes disengaged from the heel of the shoe, the heel of the wearer is no longer supported by the shoe as intended. In addition, after the wearer's heel is lost from its proper position within the shoe their heel may not reenter the shoe to the correct re-position therein. These dangerous situations of first losing the shoe's critical supporting purpose, and then the second risk of inaccurate replacement of the heel of the wearer's foot back into the shoe place particular risk to the wearer of the shoe as she walks.

[0059] This walking risk often also results in falls, ankle injuries, and unstable foot and joint support. Thus, there are physical risks associated with particularity to women's high-heeled shoes for both the woman wearing the shoes, as well as those around her. And, these physical dangers are increased because women spend more time wearing these types of shoes as more contemporary fashion tends to emphasize the look associated therewith.

[0060] The problem with the height of the heels of women's shoes previously discussed is further exacerbated by individual anatomy of the particular wearer. Many women have what is termed a narrow heel, meaning that the back of their heel is narrower than normal in relation to the forefoot. This makes it even easier for the back of the foot to slip out of the heel cap of a shoe.

[0061] High heeled shoes with increasingly thin and high heels (i.e., stilettos) have become particularly in vogue. Moreover, the length at which women stand and walk in these thin and high heels has also increased.

[0062] Wearing high heels is often counter to practical and ergonomic benefits. Various reasons for wearing high-heels and pumps include: to change the angle of the foot with respect to the lower leg, which accentuates the appearance of calves; change the wearer's posture, requiring a more upright carriage and altering the gait; make the wearer appear taller; make the legs appear longer; make the foot appear smaller; make the toes appear shorter; make the arches of the feet higher and better defined. These high-heels may also offer practical benefits for people of short stature in terms of improving access and using items, e.g. sitting upright with feet on floor instead of suspended, reaching items on shelves, etc.

[0063] Thus, many of the problems associated with wearing high heels are dependent on their height, the width of the wearer's own heel, and duration of use. Other factors include external environment factors such as the surface upon which the high heels are walked upon as well as weather conditions.

[0064] According to high-fashion shoe websites like Jimmy Choo and Gucci, a low heel is considered less than 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters), while heels between 2.5 and 3.5 inches (6.4 and 8.9 cm) are considered mid heels, and anything over that is considered a high heel. The apparel industry would appear to take a simpler view; the term high heels covers heels ranging from 2 to 5 inches (5.1 to 12.7 cm) or more. Extremely high-heeled shoes, such as those exceeding 6 inches (15 cm), strictly speaking, are no longer considered apparel but rather something akin to jewelry for the feet. They are worn for display or the enjoyment of the wearer.

[0065] Today, high heels are typically worn, with heights varying from a kitten heel of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) to a stiletto heel (or spike heel) of 5 inches (13 cm) or more. Extremely high-heeled shoes, such as those higher than 6 inches (15 cm), are normally worn only for aesthetic reasons and are not considered practical.

[0066] According to several embodiments disclosed herein a heel attachment implement is disclosed. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the heel attachment implement (300A and 300B) can include two portions, a first patch 300A for attaching to the heel cap 320 of the shoe 330, and a second patch 300B for attaching directly to the heel 310 of the wearer's foot 340.

[0067] The portion of the first patch 300A for attaching to the heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 can include a first adhesive that is preselected and designed to attach the first patch 300A to the material of the heel cap 320 of the shoe 330. The portion of the second patch 300B for attaching directly to the heel 310 of the wearer's foot 340 can be preselected and designed to attach directly to the skin of the wearer's foot 340. One side of the first patch 300A and one side of second patch 300B are designed to mechanically mate together (termed collectively as mechanically mating sides) and affix the adhesively attached heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 to the adhesively attached heel 310 of the foot 340 of the wearer of the shoe 330. These mechanically mating surfaces are discussed in further detail below with reference to sides 400B and 500B of FIGS. 4C and 5A, for example.

[0068] Referring still to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the heel attachment device 300 can include the first shoe attaching patch 300A and the second foot attaching patch 300B. These portions 300A and 300B may be flexible and referred to as a patch or may flexibly conform to the exterior heel 310 of the foot 340 and the interior heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 respectively. As discussed in further detail below, the first shoe attaching portion 300A can include a first side for attaching to the shoe 330. The first side can include a surface (or sub-surface) thereon or multiple surfaces within the side for performing the function referenced to a side however. The second foot attaching portion 300B has a first side configured for attaching to the heel 310 of the wearer's foot 340. Opposing sides of the shoe patch 300A and the foot patch 300B mate and increase a mechanical attachment of the foot 340 to the shoe 330 based on the mechanical connection there between.

[0069] Importantly, the portion of the foot 340 to which the mechanical attachment is increased is the heel 310 of the foot 340 and the portion of the shoe 330 to which the mechanical attachment is increased is the rear and upper heel cap 320 of the shoe 330. The upper heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 is a portion of the shoe 330 that encases the heel 310 of the foot 340 when worn. The encasement of the heel 310 by the cap 320 extends entirely around the curved dome of the heel 310 of the foot 340 from above the heel 310 just below the ankle to below the heel 310 of the foot 340 meeting the sole of the shoe 330. Thus, the heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 to which the mechanical heel attachment means 300 extends fully encompasses the dome of the heel 310 of the foot 340.

[0070] As disclosed herein the shoe attachment device can include a first shoe attaching portion and a second foot attaching portion as means for attaching the heel of the foot to the heel cap of the shoe. Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, a first shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device is illustrated. This first portion 400 of the shoe attaching device includes a first surface 400A and a second surface 400B. The first surface 400A of the first shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device is configured to attach to the interior of the shoe. The interior portion of the shoe to which this first surface 400A of the shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device is configured to attach can include the heel cap of the shoe. The heel cap of the shoe is a rearward disposed portion of the shoe that extends over the heel of the foot from above the heel of the foot down to the sole of the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 3A. The heel cap of the shoe can extend around the heel of the foot from a left side of the heel of the foot to a right side of the heel of the foot. The heel of the foot is substantially curved from a left side of the heel to a right side of the heel of the foot.

[0071] Common shoes often come in sizes 5 to 11, for example, in whole & half sizes, plus whole sizes 12 to 14. There is approximately difference between widths, so a Medium width is wider than an A and wider than a Narrow (AA). There is approximately between size increments, so a size 9 is longer than an 8.5 and longer than a size 8. From an end of a heel to a tip of the longest toe for women's shoe sizes 5-10.5 can be between about 8.7 inches and 10.5 inches. The width of a women's shoe size 5-10.5 can be between about 3.2 and 4.3 inches at the widest portion on average. Therefore, the width of an average woman's heel can be between about one and 2.5 inches in width.

[0072] The circumference of a closed curve or circular object is the linear distance around its edge. The circumference of a heel relates to the length of a curve (e.g. roughly a half circle), and can be calculated if the diameter (i.e. the heel width) and/or radius of the curve is known, and relates to Pi as C=Pi*diameter. As such, the ratio of such curve and line dimensions are described and calculated by one another herein.

[0073] Referring still to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the first shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device includes a second side 400B for engaging a second foot attaching portion (see 500 of FIGS. 5A-C discussed below) of the attachment device. The second side 400B of the first shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device can include an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the second side 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 of the attachment device can include a first mating engagement surface characteristic as discussed in further detail later.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4C, the shoe attaching portion 400 can be defined by a height (H) and a width (W). The height (H) and width (W) can be defined by a shoe size to which the first shoe attaching portion is configured to attach. The height (H) and width (W) of the interior of the shoe cap of the applicable shoe can also define the height (H) and width (W) of the first shoe attaching portion 400 and predetermine the size thereof. For example, in the instance where the associated shoe is of a relatively low profile, the height (H) of the shoe attaching portion 400 may be relatively small as opposed to a shoe attaching portion 400 associated with a shoe of a relatively large, or high, heel cap profile. Thus, a height (H) and/or width (W) dimension may be directly proportional to a shoe size according to a defined increment distance (H/W) per shoe size.

[0075] The width (W) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can also be inversely proportional to the height (H) of the shoe attaching portion, and vice versa, to regain an overall shoe attaching and/or foot mating surface area. For example, where the shoe to which the shoe attaching portion 400 is to be attached is relatively small in height, the width (W) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be relatively increased to increase an overall shoe attaching surface area of the shoe attaching portion 400. Thus, according to a shoe attaching surface area criteria, the height (H) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be determined by the available height within the heel cap of the applicable shoe for attachment. Based on this available interior space available for attachment, the width (W) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be determined based on an overall desired shoe attaching surface area desired.

[0076] Thus, if the height (H) of the shoe attaching portion 400 is reduced by 25%, the width (W) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be increased by an amount corresponding to the reduction in overall shoe attaching surface area of the shoe attaching portion 400. The shoe attaching portion 400 can be prefabricated to fit the interior of a particular shoe or shoe sizes, or the shoe attaching portion 400 can be offered in a kit of various heights (Hs) and widths (Ws) to fit variously available shoes.

[0077] Shoes may also include various non-uniform interior designs of stitching and/or assembled components that can also be considered when designing the shoe attaching portion 400. These interior features can be used to determine an optimal, or custom, height and width thereof. For example, the shoe may include a particularly low topline and the first shoe attaching portion 400 may be designed to fit within a perimeter of the topline design of the associated shoe above the shoe sole. In fact, the shoe attaching device and/or the shoe attaching portion 400 can be made custom to the particular shoe. The shoe may also include a particular sole which may extend up the sidewalls of the shoe upper beyond a sole base of the shoe and into a bottom perimeter of the heel cap. Thus, with particular regard to high-end fashion shoes with a particular interior shoe design in the area of the shoe heel cap portion of the rear of the shoe, not only the size, width, and height of the interior of the shoe may be considered when designing the first shoe attaching portion of the attachment device, but also the interior stitching and particular shoe compartment design can also be considered when fashioning a custom shoe attachment portion 400 of the shoe attachment device.

[0078] The shoe attaching surface 400A of the shoe attaching portion 400 can include an adhesive. The adhesive of the shoe attaching surface 400A of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be designed and preselected based on a material of the interior of the applicable, or associated, shoe. The adhesive of the shoe attaching surface 400A of the shoe attachment portion 400 can take into consideration the material of the interior of the shoe. The adhesive of the shoe attaching surface 400A of the shoe attachment portion 400 can also take into consideration the permanency of attachment to the interior of the shoe. And, the adhesive of the shoe attaching surface 400A of the shoe attaching portion 400 can also take into consideration a removability (or lack of removability) of the shoe attaching portion 400 to the interior of the shoe.

[0079] The adhesive of the shoe attaching surface 400A can include an epoxy, polyurethane, polyimide, or silicone adhesive, for example. The adhesive of the shoe attaching portion 400 can include a pressure sensitive adhesive with a very low modulus elastomer which deforms easily under small pressures, permitting them to be used with wet surfaces. Thus, in additional embodiments, an in-use shoe attaching device can be deployed when the shoe is currently worn and an attribute of the adhesive is particularly tailored to attaching to wet materials. When the substrate and adhesive are brought into contact, van der Waals forces are sufficient to maintain the contact and can provide relatively durable bonds for relatively subtle loaded applications. And, certain degradations of adhesion needs can be supplied to provide a relatively larger or smaller adhesion of the shoe adhering portion thereto.

[0080] The pressure sensitive adhesive on the first surface 400A of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be formed as a tape or label, although it can also come in the form of double-sided foam tape. The thickness of the structure can be varied as the desired subtlety or cushioning aspects thereof are optimized. As the name implies, certain adhesives become relatively more liquid when heated and then cool into a more solid polymer state. This temperature relation of the adhesion within the shoe can be predetermined such that the adhesive of the shoe attaching portion can be increased upon adhesion and set as the temperature is decreased. And the cure time can also be predetermined depending on the application aspects.

[0081] This increased adhesion can be associated with a body temperature in that the adhesion temperature can be defined as above the body temperature of a human body (i.e. the foot). Thus, a hair blow dryer, or other heating device, can be used to set the shoe attaching portion 400 via its adhesive to the shoe then as it cools from this elevated temperature, the adhesive bond between the shoe attaching portion and the interior of the shoe more permanently cures.

[0082] Other adhesives can be used to secure the shoe securing portion 400 which may be induced by exposure to ultraviolet light, or may be catalyzed by certain materials such as water (e.g. sweat) which are ubiquitous on many surfaces of an interior of a shoe during wear.

[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, a foot attaching portion 500 of the attachment device includes a first surface 500A and a second surface 500B. The foot attaching portion 500 of the shoe attachment device includes the first surface 500A for attaching to the wearer's foot and a second surface 500B for attaching to the second surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400. The first surface 500A of the foot attaching portion 500 can include a biocompatible adhesive selected to adhere to the skin of the heel of the wearer's foot. Some example applications of types of biocompatible adhesives include medical adhesives, baby diaper adhesives, and athletic skin adhering adhesives as well as adhesives used for costumes, wigs, prosthetics, and cosmetics.

[0084] The foot attaching portion 500 can have a multilayer structure, or single-layer structure. The biocompatible adhesive of the first surface 500A can have a coefficient of adhesion in contact with the skin, which is less than the coefficient of adhesion in contact with the outer layer 500B so as to allow repeated application/separation without an unpleasant sensation of pain when detached from the skin. According to other alternative embodiments the foot attaching portion 500 may also be attached to worn stocking, or hosiery, by means of adhesive, irreversible fasteners such as stitches, or by means of reversible fastenings such as Velcro connections which are able to allow removal and replacement of the foot attaching portion in the event of a reduction in the adhesion coefficient. However, according various preferred embodiments, the biocompatible adhesive on the first surface 500A of the foot attaching portion 500 is used to secure the foot attaching portion 500 directly to the foot of the wearer.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5A, the second side 500B of the foot securing portion 500 of the shoe attachment device includes a surface 500B for releasably engaging the second surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 of FIG. 4C. The foot attaching portion 500 can be defined by a height (H) and width (W) of the foot attaching portion 500 of the shoe attachment device (e.g. including 400 and 500). The foot attaching portion 500 can be sized with a height (H) and width (W) consistent to the shoe attaching portion 400. The foot attaching portion 500 can also have a height (H) and width (W) that is different than the shoe attaching portion 400. For example, the size of the foot attaching portion 500 may be relatively constrained by the limitations of the interior of the shoe, and therefore, may have a height (H) larger than the shoe attaching portion 400. The shoe attaching portion 400 may, however, also have a height (H) smaller than the shoe attaching portion 500 so as to be of a lower profile upon the foot of the wearer when the wearer is not wearing the shoe.

[0086] The height (H) of the foot attaching portion 500 may also be smaller than the shoe attaching portion 400 as the foot may not always be disposed within the shoe at the same relative height aligned position. Thus, the likelihood of having an exact alignment of the foot attaching portion 500 with the shoe attaching portion 400 may not be always the case. By sizing the shoe attaching portion 400 larger than the foot attaching portion 500 but with a sufficient contact surface tolerance (e.g. as non-limiting examples +/25% to 50% in increments of 5%) of the foot attaching portion 500, with the shoe attaching portion 400, the engagement surface area required to maintain a securement between the foot and the interior of the heel cap of the shoe can be maintained.

[0087] Thus, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the foot attaching portion 500 may be approximately between 75% of, or half of, the height (H) of the shoe attaching portion 400 so as to ensure that at least the height (H) of the heel attachment portion appropriately mates and engages with the shoe attachment portion according to predetermined design criteria discussed herein.

[0088] Referring with more particularity to FIGS. 4B and 5B, cross sectional views of the shoe attaching portion 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4C, and the foot attaching portion 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5C, are shown, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4B, the shoe attaching portion 400 includes the first shoe attaching surface 400A and the second mating surface 400B. And, as shown in FIG. 5B, the foot attaching portion 500 includes the foot attaching surface 500A for attaching to the heel of the foot and the foot attaching portion includes an opposing mating surface 500B for mating with the mating surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400. As previously discussed, the foot attaching portion 500 is defined by a height (H) and width (W) and the shoe attaching portion 400 is defined by a height (H) and (W) as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 4B, the shoe attaching portion 400 is defined by a thickness (T). And, as shown in FIG. 5B, the foot attaching portion 500 is defined by a thickness (T). The thickness (T) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be relatively thicker than the thickness (T) of the foot attaching portion 500 so as to provide a level of cushion, yet leaving the cushion within the shoe as opposed to extending from the heel of the wearer. According to one preferred embodiment, however, the thickness (T) of the shoe attaching portion 400 and the foot attaching portion 500 are as thin as possible (e.g. less than 1 millimeter collectively when mated). In some embodiments a foam backing is used for the shoe attaching portion that is 2 millimeters thick, plus an additional thin ridge across the center that is an additional 2 millimeters thick. Thus, the thinness or thickness may also be considered a composite or non-uniform thickness that may vary gradually, or according to a step change in thickness (or other dimension) transition. This thinness (or thickness) of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be less than one millimeter and the thinness of the foot attaching portion 500 can also be less than one millimeter. The thickness (T) of the shoe attaching portion 400 may be twice as thick, however, as the thickness (T) of the foot attaching portion 500 so as to allow for not only cushion, but also, vertical shear play (herein referred to as shear cushion) there between (or shear resiliency) as is discussed below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0090] Importantly, due to the position of the shoe attaching portion 400 within the heel cap of the shoe, the shoe attachment device is subject to shear forces as opposed to a tensile (or breaking or unzipping) force. Shear force includes a force acting on a substance in a direction generally perpendicular to the extension (e.g. thickness) of the substance. Shear forces often result in shear strain and a level of shear resiliency as a result. Referring to FIG. 6, the shear force 600 between the shoe attaching portion 400 and the foot attaching portion 500 is illustrated. The shear force 600 is force generally perpendicular to the thickness (T) of the foot attaching portion 500 and the shoe attaching portion 400. The shear force 600 is also generally parallel to the vertical direction of height (H) of the foot attaching portion 500 and the height (H) of the heel attaching portion 400. The shear force 600 is also generally perpendicular to the width (W) of the shoe attaching device including the shoe attaching portion 400 and foot attaching portion 500.

[0091] The shear force 600 is due to the direction of force required to detach (kinetically) the foot attaching portion 500 from the shoe attaching portion 400. For example, when the shoe is attached to the foot by the shoe attachment mechanism, the wearer subjects the shoe attachment to forces of detachment generally perpendicular to the extension of thickness of the foot attachment portion 500 and generally perpendicular to the thickness of extension of the shoe attachment portion 400. These mating surfaces of the foot attachment portion 500 and shoe attachment portion 400 must be detached via a shear force 600 during use as opposed to detachment via a tensile force of pulling the shoe attaching portion 400 directly away in an opposite direction from the foot attaching portion 500. As such, the shear force of disengagement between the mating surfaces 400B and 500B of the foot attaching portion 500 and the shoe attaching portion 400 is much different as shown in FIG. 6 as opposed to other previous devices disposed on the sole of the shoe and base (bottom) of the wearer's foot as discussed in the Background section of this document.

[0092] The shear disengagement force 600 can result in overall increased and reliable securement between the foot engagement portion 500 and the shoe engagement portion 400, however the opposite design consideration may also be exploited according to some of the inventor's embodiments.

[0093] For example, whereas the more traditional foot-to-shoe securement methods may have required a highly tensile stable and secure connection between the sole of the shoe and the bottom of the wearer's foot, here the securement of the mating surfaces of the foot securing portion 500 and the shoe securing portion 400 may not be required to be as strong, and may be desirably designed and manufactured to be less so according to certain embodiments. And, according to certain embodiments, a predetermined level of shear resiliency, shear cushioning, and/or shear slipping may be tolerated for the sake of comfort and/or repositioning of the wearer's foot relative to the shoe, for example.

[0094] To illustrate, according to some embodiments, the mating surfaces of the foot securing portion 500 and the shoe securing portion 400 can include a hook and loop mating mechanism of opposing mating surfaces 400B and 500B. Such mating surfaces in some embodiments of the disclosure herein result in a relatively secure mechanical mating of opposing portions of the foot securing device. The mating surface 500B of the foot securing portion 500 can include the hook portion of the mating surface and the mating surface 400B of the shoe securing portion 400 can include the loop portion of the mating interlocking mechanism. And in some embodiments, the mating surface 400B of the shoe securing portion 400 can include the hook portion of the mating surface and the mating surface of the foot securing portion 500 can include the loop portion of the interlocking mechanism. According to some embodiments, the loop portion of the mechanism is preferred to be disposed on the shoe attaching portion 400 as this portion is disposed opposite to the foot and is considered relatively more comfortable than the hook portion where the mating surfaces do not entirely overlap.

[0095] However, according to several embodiments, the mating surface(s) of the foot attaching portion 500 and/or the shoe attaching portion 400 can include only a rough fabric, felt-like, fibrous, or textured surface so as to increase engagement and relative movement of the foot attaching portion and the shoe attaching portion. The surface can include a brushed loop or other stronger gripping surface as well as the repositioning aspects of reseating the shoes against the foot. The material(s) can also be selected as to the materialfor example a wool or cotton material or a woven, fabric, fibrous, knit, loose-fit, compacted, or non-woven aspect thereof. Other examples include Veltex, YKK, Aplix, Velcro, Eastex, Halco, and other brand names of materials engaging materials.

[0096] A knit material is a preferred fabric material, and a preferred fibrous material, in several embodiments. For example, the second mating surface of the shoe can include a knit material which is not the same as a woven material. Rather, a knit material is a preferred material to a woven material which have important differences in several of the disclosed embodiments. In knit fabric, one continuous yarn is looped repeatedly to create what looks like tiny rows of braids. In woven fabric, multiple yarns cross each other at right angles to form the grain, like a basket. One reason for using a knit material is that the visible grain running in one direction allows for the hooks on the foot attaching portion to catch along the grain.

[0097] According to one particularly advantageous embodiment, the mating surface 500B of the foot attaching portion 500 can include very small hook-shaped interlocking features and the mating surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 can include a fabric material. The fabric material of the mating surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 can be selectively relatively soft so as to increase comfort against the skin of the wearer should the foot attaching portion 500 and the shoe attaching portion 400 become de-aligned and the fabric material of the mating surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 directly engage the skin of the heel of the foot of the wearer.

[0098] Thus, in such embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, the substantially vertical positions of the mating surface 500B of the heel attaching portion 500 with the mating surface 400B of the shoe attaching portion 400 allows for not only the different shear force of disengagement there between but also enables less abrasive mechanically engaging surfaces as opposed to the more traditional hook-loop mechanisms used. And, as such, the shoe attachment devices according to such embodiments may be worn for a longer tolerable duration with increased comfort.

[0099] According to certain embodiments, the foot attaching portion 500 can be skin colored so as to be less visibly discernable when the shoe is not worn. Similarly, the color of the shoe attaching portion 400 can more closely correspond to the color of the shoe so as to not be as visually discernable when the shoe is not being worn. However, the color of the foot attaching portion 500 and the color of the shoe attaching portion 400 can also be selected so as to provide a color of indication, source, or counterfeit. The optical indication of the color of the shoe attaching portion 400 and the foot attaching portion 500 can indicate a source or manufacturer of the shoe or shoe attaching device according to the embodiments disclosed herein. The optical indicia provided by the color of the shoe attaching portions 400 can also be used to specify which shoe the foot attaching portion 500 corresponds with. For example, a particular foot attaching portion 500 of the shoe attaching mechanism may correspond with a particular set of shoes having a corresponding set of shoe attaching portions 400 attached thereto. In such embodiments, a particular height or width or thickness, or other shape aspect, of the foot attaching portion 500 may coincide with a particular set of shoes having a particular set of the attaching portions 400 attached thereto. Moreover, an age of the shoe or shoe attaching mechanism 400 may be associated with the color of the shoe attaching mechanism 400 or a portion thereof.

[0100] According to several embodiments, the shape of the shoe attaching mechanism can be selected for functional, ornamental, source designating, and/or aesthetic reasons. The various shapes imparted thereto can be, or include, a square shape, a rectangular shape, oval or elliptical shape, multiple pieces, a triangular shape, a V-shape, or other shape as viewed perpendicular to a width and height of the shoe attaching device.

[0101] According to some preferred embodiments, the shape of a shoe attaching device 700 can be bean shaped as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As previously discussed, however, the foot attaching portion(s) can include a small rectangular strip. However, in such embodiments the shoe attaching portion can be bean-shaped. Thus, the shapes discussed herein may apply to only one side, but not the other. The shape of the perimeter of the different portions can be different; such as substantially linear as opposed to curved over at least a portion thereof. For example, one part, or side, of the device can be bean-shaped and the other side, or part, of the device can be rectangular, and vice versa. In such embodiments, the bean shape can improve functional aspects of the shoe attaching device.

[0102] As such, the inventor of this application has found certain functional advantages to a bean shaped shoe attachment device 700 as opposed to the previously discussed designs. In addition to advantages of curved edges for purposes of preventing snagging and promoting comfort, the bean shape also more closely extends over the top of the dome shape of the heel 310 of the foot 340 and down around the sides of the heel 310 of the foot 340. That is, when looking at a profile of a heel 310 as shown in the case of the shoe 330 and the foot 340 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the heel 310 is not entirely vertical. And, this lack of straightness of the heel 310 is used as a functional advantage of the bean-shaped shoe securement device 700 according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0103] As the bean-shaped shoe attachment device 700 extends over the top of the heel 310 and down opposing sides of the heel 310, the design not only exhibits securement via the shear forces (as opposed to tensile forces) but also exhibits compressive forces against the device 700 itself as the foot 340 is pressed there against the interior of the heel cap 320 during the walking motion of the wearer. This force of compression of the heel 310 of the foot 340 against the upper interior portion of the heel cap 320 of the shoe 330 where a central portion of the heel 310 and heel cap 320 securing mechanism 700 is located concentrates the pressure and securement characteristics at that location.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C an illustration of the bean shaped shoe attachment mechanism 700 is shown. In this design, the shoe attachment portion 700A is shown in FIG. 8A and the foot attachment portion 700B is shown in FIG. 8C. Again, these shapes can be curved, and/or linear in aspects thereof. The relative position of the shoe attachment portions 700 relative to the heel of the foot is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8B as it relates to the vertical force of the foot against the interior of the heel cap of the shoe.

[0105] FIG. 8C also illustrates different locations of the shoe attachment device that can be selectively varied in construction, mechanical attachment features, and/or adhesive attributes. The different zones (or surfaces within a side/portion) of the shoe attachment portions can also be illustrated for purposes of the different forces applied thereto by the shoe against the foot. The different zones can also be applied to a rectangular embodiment including a similarly situated center, left, and right (top, middle, and bottom) zone as well. And, the device can be divided into quadrants with a top-left, and so forth, quadrant of device attributes.

[0106] As shown, the bean-shaped design can be defined by a width (W) and a height (H). The width (W) and height (H) of the bean shape can be defined by a most wide width D1 of the absolute extremes of the sides of the device 700 as the sides are defined by curves. Similarly, the height (H) of the device can be defined by the absolute largest height distance (D2+D3) as the top and bottom edges of the bean shaped implement are also defined by curves. The bottom of the bean shaped device can be defined by a concave curve C1 and the top of the bean shaped device can be defined by a convex curve C2. The sides of the bean shaped device can be defined by right and left convex curves as shown.

[0107] The bean shape can accommodate the shape of the heel of the wearer as previously discussed. For example, the concave portion C1 of the bean shape can extend over a center portion of the dome shaped heel of the wearer and the sides of the device can extend over the sides of the heel when worn within a shoe.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8B, the shear forces applied to the device 700 can be converted to compressive forces near a top of the device 700 extending over a top of the curved cross sectional shape of the heel. This compression force at this location can increase the mechanical attachment attributes at that location. As shown, the bottom of the heel can curve toward the front of the foot and the force at this location between the foot attaching portion of the shoe attachment device and the shoe attaching portion of the shoe attachment device may be considered to be a tensile breaking force as opposed to the shear force in the middle and compression force near the top of the shoe attaching device.

[0109] A shown in FIG. 8C, there can be different Zones 1-3 of the shoe attaching portion 700A and/or foot attaching portion 700B of the shoe attaching device 700. These Zones 1-3 can relate to the relative forces exhibited by the force of the heel of the foot against the interior of the heel cap of the shoe, for example as illustrated by FIG. 8B.

[0110] These forces of Zones 1-3 may be a result of the particular shape of the heel of the foot and the shape of the heel cap of a shoe for a particular wearer. Particular aspects of the shoe attachment device 700 may be varied from Zone-to-Zone. These Zones 1-3 can define the position of the heel, locations of compressive forces, locations of shear forces, and so forth as previously discussed. These Zones 1-3 may be defined by a curvature or ellipse as shown. A first Zone 1 can relate to a central zone over the center of the heel. A second Zone 2 can be considered a relatively left zone and a third Zone 3 can be considered a relatively right zone. The first Zone 1 can be associated with a magnitude of detachment force or a magnitude of required attachment force to retain the heel of the foot within the shoe. As such, the attachment force associated with the mating surfaces of the foot attaching portion 700B can be relatively higher than the attachment force associated with the mating surfaces adjacent thereto.

[0111] The adhesive properties of the adhesive attaching the foot attaching portion to the skin of the heel of the foot of the wearer can be higher at the adjacent Zones 2 and 3 as opposed to the first more central Zone 1 so as to more securely attach the sides of the heel attaching portion 700B to the foot as opposed to the center thereof. As such, the center Zone 1 is allowed to move more liberally relative to the heel while retaining the shoe attached to the foot of the wearer. Thus, according to various embodiments, the shoe attaching device 700 can include a bean-shape with foot and shoe attaching adhesive extending uniformly, or non-uniformly across a width and/or height thereof. Moreover, the non-uniform distribution of the adhesive, shape, thickness and/or cushioning aspects of the foot and/or shoe attaching portions 700A and 700B may vary according to discrete locations and/or attribute/shape transitions or may more gradually change from location-to-location or Zone-to-Zone.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 9, a shoe attaching or foot attaching portion 900 can include an appending feature that extends outwards from mating surface thereof. The appending feature can include a horizontal ridge 910. The horizontal ridge can extend partially or entirely across a width of a mating side of the shoe attaching or foot attaching portion 900. In some embodiments, the portion is the shoe attaching portion such that the horizontal ridge 910 is stationary with respect to the shoe, yet is a mechanical engaging non-uniform surface feature that engages the mating surface of the foot attaching portion.

[0113] The portion 900 can also include non-uniform features 920 extending across the width of the portion 900. These non-uniform feature 920 can be spaced horizontal ridges across the width of the portion 900 and can vary in extent and thickness of the ridge 920 across the width or more proximate to the edges of the portion 900.

[0114] One purpose of the horizontal ridge 910 is to help keep the wearer's heel in place and can be an additional measure to the mating surfaces previously discussed, which, when combined with the interlocking mechanism, helps keep the heel secure inside the shoe. It also helps by bringing the back of the foot that much closer into contact with the heel cap, without making the entire foot attaching portion so thick so as to create undesirable bulk inside the heel cap.

[0115] A width, or greatest dimension, of the shoe attaching or foot attaching portion 900 can be between 2 and 3 inches with increments there between of 0.1 inch, for example; and, the height thereof can be between about 0.5 and 1.5 inches. According to one design, the width is about 2.5 inches. The height can be between about 0.75 and 1.25 inches, for example, in increments of 0.1 inch. The size can be supplied or cut (e.g. etch)-able to a preferred or indicated increment. The opposing portion 900 of the shoe or foot attachment device can be about 1.5 inches in width and about 0.33 inches in height. Similarly, the width and height can vary in 0.1 or 0.05 increments. In one example, the foot attaching portion is about two millimeters thick at the thinnest portion, and approximately four millimeters thick at the thickest portion (due to a raised ridge running in an arch horizontally across the foot attaching portion as illustrated in FIG. 9).

[0116] For example, referring to FIG. 10, according to a preferred embodiment, a ridge 1010 runs along a shoe attaching portion 1000, not the foot attaching portion. The ridge 1010 can also be curved according to the bean shape of the perimeter of the shoe portion 1000 and has a width. The width of the ridge 1010 can change along its length according to the bean shape and be relatively narrower (not shown) toward ends of the ridge 1010 as compared to a center of the portion of the ridge 1010. The width of the ridge 1010 can be half or less of the height of the shoe attaching portion 1000, for example.

[0117] The thickness of the foot attaching or shoe attaching portion(s) can be about 5 millimeters thick or less. The thickness may be relatively thicker near a center Zone, for example. The friction and shear strength between the foot attaching and shoe attaching portions substantially prevent the back of the foot from slipping out of the shoe.

[0118] When hook tape is used the low profile of the preferable hook tape goes on the back of the foot using a skin-specific adhesive. The hook tape measures about 1.5 inches wide and 0.5 inches high.

[0119] Thus, as disclosed herein, the problem associated with comfortably wearing high-heel pumps, in particular, due to the heels of the feet slipping out may be addressed. The correct seating of the foot within the shoe can be improved as well as the safety and embarrassing aspects of the foot slipping out of the shoe addressed.

[0120] While the various devices disclosed herein include a foot attaching portion and a shoe attaching portion, various of the teachings are applicable to single layer attaching devices with double sided adhesive layers. Moreover, additional layers and portions may be included in between such portions and/or adjacent thereto. For example, the various Zones, sides, or ends whether above or below those disclosed can further be employed according to the teachings disclosed herein. Further, other shapes are anticipated such as an up-side-down U shape with rounded corners. And the edges as seen from a cross-sectional view may also be rounded or softened.

[0121] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.