HEEL PAD HAVING A MALLEABLE MEMBER AND METHOD OF USE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of insert pads are known for use with shoes. Many of the known insert pads are used underneath a wearer's foot for absorbing shock or odors.

Typically, an insert pad is placed along a top surface of a sole of a shoe. This allows for a wearer to comfortably place his/her foot over the insert pad.

While known insert pads resolve shock and odor problems, they do not necessarily solve other shoe related problems such as irritation and chafing to a wearer's foot (particularly the heel of the foot). There are certain types of shoes that tend to cause this irritation and chafing such as dress shoes, athletic shoes, and high heeled shoes. For example, a high-heeled shoe tends to cause irritation to the wearer's foot due to a heel of the shoe digging in and rubbing against the wearer's heel.

A known solution to these irritation and chafing problems is a heel pad. The heel pad is positioned within a heel section of a shoe. In particular, the heel pad is typically a narrow-shaped pad that is positioned along an inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe. The heel pad provides a comfortable fit between a wearer's heel and the shoe thus limiting friction between the wearer's heel and the shoe. This can result in less irritation and chafing on the wearer's heel (thus eliminating the formation of blisters and calluses).

In one example, the heel pad includes a gel substance for comfortably fitting around a wearer's heel. The gel heel pad typically includes an adhesive strip for anchoring the gel heel pad along the inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe.

Another example heel pad includes a urethane material (e.g., Poron® urethane macroporous material available from Rogers Corporation of Rogers, Conn.) for providing a comfortable fit around the wearer's heel. Similar to the gel heel pad, this urethane heel pad includes an adhesive strip for anchoring the urethane heel pad to the inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The known heel pads experience some shortcomings. For example, the known heel pads do not stay firmly in the heel counters of shoes. In particular, the adhesive strip of each known heel pad does not provide adequate adhesion with respect to anchoring the heel pads in the shoes. This is the result of the adhesive strips losing their adhesion properties over time and in some cases shortly after first use. Thus, the known heel pads tend to shift position during use or the heel pads detach completely from the heel counters of shoes. In addition, due to their typically narrow shape, known heel pads do not provide adequate amount of coverage to protect the entire heel of a wearer's foot. Also, the narrow shape of known heel pads translates into less cushioning material being incorporated within the heel pads.

The present invention is directed toward further solutions to address these needs, in addition to having other desirable characteristics. Specifically, the present invention heel pad includes a malleable member that allows the heel pad to adequately maintain its position within a heel section of a shoe. In particular, the malleable member functions to anchor the heel pad directly to the shoe such that the heel pad securely maintains its position in the shoe. In one example, the present invention heel pad uses the malleable member to affix itself to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe for fastening the heel pad in place. Furthermore, the present invention heel pad is configured to provide adequate coverage for protecting the entire heel area of a wearer's foot.

In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a heel pad for placement within a shoe. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body.

The malleable member is typically fastened to the pliable body with stitching. In one example, the malleable member includes a metal material. In another example, the malleable member includes metal material inserted within a fabric covering.

The pliable body has a shape configured to fit the hack of a wearer's heel. In one example, the pliable body is constructed from a fabric sheet.

The filler element typically includes a material having soft, flexible, and moldable properties. The filler element can include a polyester pile, beads, foam, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, or gel.

In one embodiment, a shoe side of the pliable body is mounted to an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe such that the heel pad is integrated with the heel section of the shoe. In another embodiment, a shoe side of the pliable body is releasable attached to an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe using a fastener such that the heel pad is attached and detached from the heel section of the shoe.

In general, according to another aspect, the invention features an article of footwear that includes a shoe having an insole coupled to a heel section. The article of footwear includes a heel pad positioned in the heel section of the shoe. The heel pad has a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. The malleable member is bent to fold a longitudinal end of the pliable body along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe and affix the end of the pliable body to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

In one embodiment, the article of footwear includes an extender heel pad. The extender heel pad can include a pliable body having a filler element therein. In one example, the pliable body of the extender heel pad has a generally hemispherical shape. The extender heel pad is positioned along part of a foot side of the heel pad.

In one embodiment, the extender heel pad is mounted to part of the foot side of the heel pad and a shoe side of the heel pad is mounted to an inner surface of the heel section of the shoe such that the heel pad and extender heel pad are integrated with the heel section of the shoe. In another embodiment, the extender heel pad is mounted to part of the foot side of the heel pad and a shoe side of the heel pad is mounted to an inner surface of the heel section of the shoe such that the extender heel pad is attached and detached from the heel pad and the heel pad is attached and detached from the inner surface of the heel section of the shoe.

In general, according to another aspect, the invention features a method of using a heel pad for a shoe. The method includes providing the heel pad having a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. The heel pad is positioned along an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heel pad;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view along an A-A axis of the heel pad of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along the A-A axis of the heel pad of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views along the A-A axis of the heel pad of FIG. 1 without and with a filler element according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a malleable member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the malleable member according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the malleable member according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a fabric covering for the malleable member;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the fabric covering of FIG. 5A wrapped around portions of the malleable member of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the heel pad positioned in a high heeled shoe;

FIG. 6B is a partial side perspective view of the heel pad positioned in the high heeled shoe of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a back perspective view of the heel pad positioned in the high heeled shoe of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an extender heel pad;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the extender heel pad of FIG. 7 along the B-B axis:

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the heel pad and extender heel pad positioned in the high heeled shoe of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the heel pad having a fastener for attaching the heel pad within a low heeled shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a wrapped heel pad using a fastener to attach the heel pad within a sling back shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of the unwrapped heel pad of FIG. 11 having a hook fastener section;

FIG. 12B is a back perspective view of the unwrapped heel pad of FIG. 11 having a loop fastener section; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a process of using the heel pad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, he embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Further, the singular forms of the articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms: includes, comprises, including and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, it will be understood that when an element, including component or subsystem, is referred to and/or shown as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.

FIG. 1 illustrates a heel pad 10. The heel pad 10 is placed within a shoe for protecting a wearer's ankle or heel from abrasion and discomfort (typically caused by friction between the wearer's heel and the inside surface of the shoe).

The heel pad 10 can be sized to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. For example, in one embodiment the heel pad 10 is sized to fit a high heeled shoe and in another embodiment the heel pad 10 is sized to fit a low heeled shoe.

The heel pad 10 has a length stretching from a first end 18 to a second end 20 that can he increased or decreased to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. Relative to an average heel pad length, the heel pad length is designed to be shorter for the low heeled shoe whereas the heel pad length is designed to be longer for the high heeled shoe. For example, the heel pad 10 has a relatively long and narrow shape for the high heeled shoe whereas the heel pad 10 has a relatively short and wide shape to accommodate the low heeled shoe. In examples, the heel pad 10 has a total length (from the first end 18 to the second end 20 and measured at max length of shape) between about 9 cm and about 12 cm. The heel pad 10 has a total width (from a first side 15 to a second side 17 and measured at max width of shape) between about 6 cm and about 10 cm that extends in parallel with an A-A axis. The heel pad 10 can be designed with other measurements as appreciated by one of skill n the art in order to accommodate other shoe types,

The heel pad 10 includes a foot side 14 for receiving the heel of a wearer's foot. The heel pad 10 includes a shoe side 16 for placement against an inside surface of a shoe.

The heel pad 10 includes a pliable body 12 forming a shape of the heel pad 10. The pliable body 12 is shaped to fit the back of a wearer's heel. In particular, the pliable body 12 tapers at the first end 18 to fit the back of the wearer's heel. The pliable body 12 has a generally ovoid shape. In other examples, the pliable body 12 has a triangular shape, polygonal shape, or other shape as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The pliable body 12 can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the pliable body 12 can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The materials can be white in color as illustrated. In one embodiment, materials may be selected such that the color of the pliable body 12 matches and blends in with the color of the shoe. In still another embodiment, materials may be selected to produce a pattern and/or an image on the pliable body 12. Materials may be selected to produce other colors and/or designs for the pliable body 12 as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two cross-section embodiments of the heel pad 10. Both cross-sections are viewed along the A-A line of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in the cross-sections, the pliable body 12 is constructed from two fabric layers 12A, 12B. Each fabric layer 12A/12B is folded on two opposing sides (first side 15 and second side 17). As shown, the upper fabric layer 12A is folded over itself at the first side 15 and folded over itself at the second side 17. Similarly, the lower fabric layer 12B is folded over itself at the first side 15 and folded over itself at the second side 17. The fabric layers 12A, 12B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching 23 (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer 12A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer 12B forming a seam along the body stitching 23. The upper fabric layer 12A is the foot side 14 of the pliable body 12 and the lower fabric layer 12B is the shoe side 16 of the pliable body 12.

In another example, the pliably, body 12 can be constructed from a single fabric sheet.

The heel pad 10 includes a filler element 22 contained within the pliable body 12 (i.e., between the upper fabric layer 12A and the lower fabric layer 12B). The filler element 22 typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the filler element 22 can include a polyester pile, beads, than), multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, foam, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The heel pad 10 includes a malleable member 24. The malleable member 24 is fastened within the pliable body 12 and extends along at least part of the length of the pliable body 12 as well as at least part of the width of the pliable body 12. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the malleable member 24 is fastened to the pliable body 12 by using member stitching 25 (e.g., plastic stitching).

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment where the heel pad 10 includes one malleable member 24 extending along the width (between the first side 15 and the second side 17) of the pliable body 12. Member stitching 25 is used to fasten the malleable member 24 proximate to the lower fabric layer 12B of the pliable body 12.

In FIG. 2B, the heel pad includes two malleable members 24 that each separately extend along part of the width of the pliable body 12. Separate member stitching 25 is used to fasten the two malleable members 24 proximate to the lower fabric layer 12B of the pliable body 12.

The malleable member 24 is constructed of a material having “malleable” properties. “Malleable” properties include the ability to hammer or press the material permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking the material. The “malleable” properties typically relate to metals that can be permanently bent and twisted into a variety of shapes without breaking. Examples of “malleable” metals can include gold, silver, aluminum, copper, tin, lead, zinc, iron, and other related alloys. A material having “malleable” properties is able to be bent into one shape such that the material maintains this shape until a new force is applied to bend the material into a different shape. Thus, for example, the “malleable” material can be bent permanently into a first shape and then bent permanently into a second shape different from the first shape. The term “malleable” and particularly the terms “malleable member” are to be interpreted throughout the specification based on this definition of “malleable” properties.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate cross-sections of the heel pad 10 according to another embodiment. Similar to FIGS. 2A-2B, the heel pad 10 includes the pliable body 12 constructed from two fabric layers 12A, 12B. The heel pad 10 is shown without the filler element 22 (FIG. 3A) and with the filler element 22 (FIG. 3B). In the FIG. 3B example, the filler element 22 is polyester pile. The heel pad 10 also includes the malleable member 24 according to another example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, this example malleable member 24 includes multiple components forming a specific arrangement. The malleable member 24 is composed of two metal plates 24A and metal wiring 24B. The metal plates 24A are tied to one another by the metal wiring 24B forming the malleable member 24. This malleable member 24 (i.e., metal plates 24A and metal wiring 24B) is fastened to the pliable body 12 with the member stitching 25. In other examples, the metal wiring 24B can be welded, soldered, brazed, riveted (e.g., using needles through wiring and plates), or glued to the two metal plates 24A.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate other embodiments of the malleable member 24.

In FIG. 4A, the malleable member 24 is in the form of one metal plate 24A. In this example, each metal plate 24A (i.e., each malleable member 24) is separately stitched to the pliable body 12 using member stitching 25 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. In another example, the two metal plates 24A can be held together by metal wiring 24B that is tied to the two metal plates 24A as illustrated in FIG. 3A. The combined two metal plates 24A with metal wiring 24B form the malleable member 24. This malleable member 24 is stitched to the pliable body 12 using member stitching 25.

In FIG. 4B, the malleable member 24 includes five metal plates 24A held together by metal wiring 24B. Four of the five metal plates 24A are clipped together to form a generally rectangular shape. In particular, each metal plate 24A is clipped onto an end of a different metal plate 24A. The four metal plates 24A are clipped to one another to form the rectangular shape. The four metal plates 24A can be further welded, soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to one another to form the rectangular shape. One metal plate 24A is clipped across the center of the rectangular shape such that this metal plate 24A is perpendicular to the length of the rectangular shape. This central metal plate 24A can be further welded, soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to the other metal plates 24A. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the malleable member 24 includes metal wiring 24B that crosses the length of the rectangular shape as well as across the width of the rectangular shape. In this example, a first pair of metal wiring 24B is tied (e.g., with a knot) and fastened on the metal plate 24A forming a vertical side of the rectangular shape and then tied and fastened to the metal plate 24A forming an opposite vertical side of the rectangular shape. A second pair and a third pair of metal wiring 24B are tied and fastened on the metal plate 24A forming a horizontal side of the rectangular shape and then tied and fastened to the metal plate 24A forming an opposite horizontal side of the rectangular shape. The metal wiring 24B provides additional support in holding the metal plates 24A to one another.

FIG. 4C depicts the same malleable member 24 illustrated in FIG. 4B except metal wiring 24B is welded to the metal plates 24A and other metal wiring 24B. As appreciated by one of skill in the art, the metal wiring 24B can be soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to the other metal wiring 24B and the metal plates 24A.

The malleable member 24 can include additional metal clips for holding the metal plates 24A to one another. For example embodiments including multiple metal plates 24A, the additional metal clips can be attached or clamped to the ends of the metal plates 24 for providing further support in keeping the metal plates 24A together.

The metal plates 24A described above can include aluminum, copper, or another metal or metal alloy that has “malleable” properties as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The metal wiring 24B can include aluminum, copper, or another metal or metal alloy that has “malleable” properties as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In general, the metal plates 24A and metal wiring 24B can vary in terms of type, size, and thickness as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

FIG. 5A illustrates a fabric covering 44 for the metal plates 24A (i.e., malleable members 24) of FIG. 4A. The fabric covering 44 includes multiple strands. The fabric covering 44 can include cotton material having a feathery texture. The fabric covering 44 can include other materials for providing properties of a soft fabric surface as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

FIG. 5B illustrates the metal plates 24A (i.e., malleable members 24) inserted within the fabric covering 44. In particular, the fabric covering 44 is wrapped around portions of the metal plates 24A. The fabric covering 44 provides a soft external surface around portions of the metal plates 24A. This provides additional comfort to a wearer that uses the heel pad 10.

In other examples, the fabric covering 44 can be used to cover the malleable member 24 illustrated in FIG. 4B or the malleable member 24 illustrated in FIG. 4C.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate use of the heel pad 10 in a high heeled shoe 34. The high heeled shoe 34 includes an insole 28 coupled between a heel section 46 and a toebox 38. The heel section 46 includes a heel 36 attached below the heel counter 26. The heel pad 10 is positioned along an inner surface of the heel counter 26. In addition to the high heeled shoe 34, the heel pad 10 may be used with casual shoes, sneakers, boots, sports shoes, ice skates, cross trainer shoes, cleats, ski hoots, sandals, flats, or other shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The malleable member 24 allows the heel pad 10 to be bent or folded in different configurations. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, the heel pad 10 is folded over the heel counter 26. In particular, the first end 18 of the heel pad 10 is positioned along the inner surface of the heel counter 26 and the second end 20 (i.e., longitudinal end) of the heel pad 10 is folded along an upper edge of the heel counter 26. The second end 20 of the heel pad 10 is affixed to an outer surface of the heel counter 26 of the high heeled shoe 34.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate different views (front view, side view, and back view) of the heel pad 10 positioned in and folded over the heel counter 26. In one example, a portion of the heel pad 10 that folds along the upper edge of the heel counter 26 has a length between about 2 cm and about 3 cm.

The heel pad 10 can be supplemented with an extender heel pad 30. The additional extender heel pad 30 expands the coverage area and length of the heel pad 10. This results in an extension of the length of coverage for padding the wearer's heel which is particularly useful with high heeled shoes 34.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the extender heel pad 30 and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along a B-B axis of the extender heel pad 30. As shown, the extender heel pad 30 includes an extender pliable body 32 having an extender filler element 33 therein. In this example, the extender pliable body 32 has a generally hemispherical shape. In other examples, the extender pliable body 32 has a triangular shape, polygonal shape, or other shape as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

Similar to the heel pad 10, the extender pliable body 32 is constructed of two fabric layers 32A, 32B. Each fabric layer 32A/32B is folded over itself on two opposing sides. The fabric layers 32A, 32B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching 23 (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer 32A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer 32B forming a seam along the body stitching 23. In another example, the extender pliable body 32 may be constructed from a single fabric sheet as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The extender pliable body 32 can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the extender pliable body 32 can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The extender heel pad 30 includes an extender filler element 33 contained within the extender pliable body 32 (i.e., between the upper fabric layer 32A and the lower fabric layer 32B). The extender filler element 33 typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the extender filler element 33 can include a polyester pile, beads, foam, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, foam, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the extender heel pad 30 is positioned over the heel pad 10. For example, the heel pad 10 is affixed or hooked onto the heel counter 26 of the high heeled shoe 34. The extender heel pad 30 is positioned along part of the foot side 14 of the heel pad 10. Placing the extender heel pad 30 over the heel pad 10 provides additional padding and extends the length of the heel pad 10 for the high heeled shoe 34.

In another example, the heel pad 10 is positioned over the extender heel pad 30. In this example, the extender heel pad 30 is positioned alone the inner surface of the heel counter 26. Then, the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 is positioned along part of the extender heel pad 30. The heel pad 10 is affixed or hooked onto the heel counter 26 (i.e., folded along the upper edge of the heel counter 26).

The extender heel pad 30 can have various dimensions. In one example, the extender heel pad 30 has a width W (perpendicular to B-B and measured at max width of hemispherical shape) between about 6 cm and about 9 cm. In this same example, the extender heel pad 30 has a length (along B-B and measured at max length of hemispherical shape) between about 5 cm and about 7 cm. Other length and width measurements may be used for the extender heel pad 30 as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

The heel pad 10 can include a fastener for attaching the heel pad 10 within a shoe (e.g., high heeled shoe or low heeled shoe). The fastener provides additional support in maintaining the heel pad 10 within the shoe (i.e., assist in keeping the heel pad 10 in place). For example, the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 is releasably attached to the inner surface of the heel counter 26 of the high heeled shoe 34 using the fastener such that the heel pad 10 is attached and detached from the heel counter 26 of the high heeled shoe 34.

In FIG. 10, the heel pad 10 utilizes a hook and loop type of fastener for attaching the heel pad 10 within a low heeled shoe 35. The heel pad 10 can also utilize this hook and loop type of fastener with the high heeled shoe 34. In particular, the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 includes a hook fastener section 40A which releasably attaches to or detaches from a loop fastener section 40B on the inner surface of the heel counter 26 of the shoe 34, 35.

The heel pad 10 can be adhered into the shoe 34, 35 using a different fastener 40 such as an adhesive strip (e.g., peel and stick type of adhesive). In one example, the adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 and the heel pad 10 is attached to the heel counter 26 using the adhesive strip. In another example, one adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 and a complementary adhesive strip is placed on the inner surface of the heel counter 26. The heel pad 10 is attached to the heel counter 26 using these complementary adhesive strips.

The heel pad 10 can use other fastening means such as sewing, tacking, riveting, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or other adhesive mechanisms for providing additional support in attaching the heel pad 10 into the heel counter 26 as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

In one example, the heel pad 10 is integrated with the shoe 34, 35. In particular, the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 is mounted to the inner surface of the heel counter 26 of the shoe 34, 35 such that the heel pad 10 is integrated with the heel counter 26. For this integrated example, the pliable body 12 of the heel pad 10 can be constructed from a layer of the same material as the inner surface of the heel counter 26. In another example, the pliable body 12 is constructed of a material that is different from the inner surface of the heel counter 26.

In another example, the extender heel pad 30 is mounted to the heel pad 10 using a fastener. For example, the extender heel pad 30 can include a hook fastener section 40A that is mounted to a loop fastener section 40B on the foot side 14 of the heel pad 10. The extender heel pad 30 can use other fastening means such as adhesive, sewing, tacking, or riveting for attaching the extender heel pad 30 to the heel pad 10 as appreciated by one of skill in the art.

In a further example, the combination of the extender heel pad 30 and the heel pad 10 are integrated with the high heeled shoe 34 or the low heeled shoe 35. In this integrated example, the extender heel pad 30 is mounted to part of the foot side 14 of the heel pad 10 and the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10 is mounted to the inner surface of the heel counter 26 such that the heel pad 10 and extender heel pad 30 are integrated with the heel counter 26 of the high heeled shoe 34 or low heeled shoe 35. The pliable body 12 of the heel pad 10 and the pliable body 32 of the extender heel pad 30 can be constructed from a layer of the same material as the inner surface of the heel counter 26. In another example, the pliable bodies 12, 32 are constructed of a material that is different from the inner surface of the heel counter 26,

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of the heel pad 10 in use with a slingback shoe 42. The slingback shoe 42 is a woman's type of shoe characterized by a heel strap 27 that crosses behind the heel of the wearer's foot. The heel strap 27 completely encircles the wearer's heel. The slingback shoe 42 can encompass casual and dressy shoes with a range of heel heights.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the heel pad 10 is wrapped around the heel strap 27 of the slingback shoe 42. This wrapped form of the heel pad 10 provides comfort to the wearer's heel by eliminating frictional contact between the wearer's heel and the heel strap 27.

For this embodiment, the heel pad 10 is attached to the heel strap 27 and the heel pad 10 attaches to itself in order to wrap around the heel strap 27. The heel pad 10 includes a fastener (either a hook fastener section 40A or a loop fastener section 40B) centrally located on the shoe side 16 of the heel pad 10. This centrally located fastener on the heel pad 10 is affixed to a fastener (either a hook fastener section 40A or a loop fastener section 40B) on the outer surface of the heel strap 27. For example, the centrally located fastener on the heel pad 10 is a hook fastener section 40A that can be affixed to a loop fastener section 40B on the outer surface of the heel strap 27. This allows for the heel pad 10 to be mounted to the heel strap 27.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12B, the heel pad 10 of FIG. 11 further includes two fastener sections 40A, 40B for attaching to itself. The heel pad 10 includes a hook fastener section 40A on the shoe side 16 of the pliable body 12 near the first end 18 (as illustrated in FIG. 12A). The heel pad 10 includes a loop fastener section 40B on the foot side 14 of the pliable body 12 near the second end 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 12B). While the heel pad 10 is affixed to the heel strap 27, the hook fastener section 40A (i.e., first end 18 of the shoe side 16) is affixed to the loop fastener section 40B (i.e, second end 20 of the foot side 14) such that the heel pad 10 is wrapped around the heel strap 27 as illustrated in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1-12B, the heel pad 10 provides a distinct ornamental design by itself. Also, the figures illustrate the heel pad 10 as providing a distinct ornamental design when mounted within the shoe 34, 35, 42 or integrated with the shoe 34, 35, 42.

FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred operation or use of the heel pad 10. In step 100, a user provides the heel pad 10 as described above. The user positions the heel pad 10 along an inner surface of a heel section 46 (e.g., heel counter 26 or heel strap 27) of the shoe 34, 35, 42 (step 102). In one example, the heel pad 10 includes a fastener (hook and loop, adhesive strips, etc.) for releasably attaching the heel pad 10 to the inner surface of the heel section 46. In step 104, the user folds a longitudinal end (i.e., second end 20) of the heel pad 10 along an upper edge of the heel section 46 (e.g., heel counter 26 or heel strap 27) of the shoe 34, 35, 42. The user affixes the folded longitudinal end (i.e., second end 20) of the heel pad 10 to an outer surface of the heel section 46 (e.g., heel counter 26 or heel strap 27) of the shoe 34, 35, 42 (step 106),

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

HEEL PAD HAVING A MALLEABLE MEMBER AND METHOD OF USE

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