HEEL PROTECTOR

Abstract

A heel protector is provided that has a tubular structure with a strap and a heel section. The heel section includes a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges that allow users of the heel protector to expand the heel section vertically when placed over a shoe so that the heel section covers all or substantially all of a rear portion of the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to accessories and more particularly shoe protectors.

Wear and scuffing of a heel and back of a shoe often occur while driving, particularly for the shoe on the right foot which is used to press the accelerator and brake pedals. A number of heel protectors have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,097, for example, provides a protector for a ladies shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,563 provides similar protection for flat shoes. In addition to other drawbacks, these protectors only apply to either high heel shoes or flat shoes, and are thus not generally usable to protect other types of shoes.

Accordingly, there is a need for a heel protector that can be used to protect the heels and backs of shoes having various types, sizes and configurations, that can be used safely while driving, and that is lightweight and portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, a heel protector is provided that has a tubular structure with a strap section and a heel section. The heel section may include an expandable structure having a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges that makes the heel section therewith expandable vertically.

In at least one embodiment the tubular structure is made from a stretchable material, such as silicon, rubber, latex, spandex, and gel.

In at least one embodiment the strap and the heel section form a continuous tubular structure.

In at least one embodiment, a method is provided that includes passing a shoe through a tubular structure of a heel protector, the heel protector having a strap and a heel section, the heel section comprising an expandable structure including a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges, the heel section therewith expandable vertically; locating the strap over a front of the shoe; locating the heel section over a heel of the shoe; and expanding vertically the heel section to thereby cover the heel of the shoe.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes expanding the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and at least a rear portion of the shoe.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes expanding the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and a rear portion of the shoe, the heel section expanded to cover from a base of the heel to a top of the rear portion of the shoe.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes forming a loop by crossing the strap and passing the loop over a toe section of the shoe.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes locating the loop at an incline of a sole of the shoe.

In at least one embodiment, the method is provided that includes passing a shoe through a tubular structure of a heel protector, the heel protector having a strap and a heel section, the heel section comprising a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges, the heel section therewith expandable vertically; locating the strap over a front of the shoe; locating the heel section over a heel of the shoe; expanding vertically the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and at least a rear portion of the shoe; forming a loop by crossing the strap and passing the loop over a toe section of the shoe; and locating the loop at an incline of a sole of the shoe.

Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 a-1b show a heel protector according to one embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIGS. 2 a-2b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIGS. 3 a-3b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIGS. 4 a-4b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIGS. 5 a-4b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIGS. 6 a-6b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 a-7b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 a-8b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 a-9b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 a-10b show a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 shows a method for using a heel protector according to one other embodiment of the heel protectors disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application provides heel protectors and methods of using heel protectors with a design that can be used with more than one type of shoe, including high heels, flat shoes, male and female shoes, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1a-1b, a heel protector according to one embodiment includes a tubular structure 100. The tubular structure 100 may be continuous, i.e., without any opening in the wall of the tubular structure, or have an opening therein with a closing mechanism, such as a snap(s) or buckle(s), allowing the structure to be placed around the wear's foot and fastened in position. The tubular structure 100 generally includes a strap section 104 and a heel section 106. The closing mechanism may be located at the strap section 104 (not shown). In at least one embodiment, the strap section 104 is a relatively narrow band of material that interfaces on each end of the strap to the heel section 106. In other embodiments the strap section may be wider or broader. The heel section 106 transitions from the dimensions, e.g., height, of the strap section 104 to a height sufficient to cover all or substantially the entire heel and rear portion of a shoe. In at least one embodiment, the protector is made from a pliable, stretchable material, such as silicon, rubber, latex, spandex, gel, or a combination thereof. In this respect, the protector or at least the heel section 106 may have an initial size that is expanded vertically to fit over a shoe as will be discussed in greater detail below. In this instance, the initial size of the heel section may have a height of about 3 inches and a width of about 2½ inches.

In at least one embodiment, the heel section 106 includes a plurality of annular ridges 108 that give at least the heel section 106 a clam shell appearance. The heel section 106 therefore includes alternating annular strips of material 112 separated by annular ridges 108. The strips 112 provide sufficient material to protect a shoe, while the ridges 108 provide additional stretchability, as compared to a heel section without ridges 108, as a result of the ridges 108 having a smaller thickness of material as compared to that of the strips 112. Expandability, aside from the stretchability of the material from which the heel section 106 is made, may be provided with the heel section 106 having sufficient height to form a plurality of overlapping folds when worn. The heel protector may also include a base 110 that is molded to fit around and/or under the base of the heel of a shoe.

The heel protector may be formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes. For example, the strap portion 104 may have a sufficient length, flexibility, and/or shape to form a loop that crosses over the top and under the sole of a shoe as shown in FIGS. 2a and 10a. Additionally or alternatively, the strap section 104 may split into multiple intermediate strap sections 302 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 7a. The intermediate strips 302 generally form an opening there between that may be formed into any shape desired. In lieu of a single strap, multiple straps 104 may be used as shown in FIGS. 4a and 8a. The interface between the strap section 104 and the heel section 106 may includes a button, as shown in FIG. 6a. The button may be a functional closure or may provide reinforcement at the intersection of these sections. The button may also include an ornamental shape.

Referring to FIG. 11, in at least one embodiment, the heel protector is used by passing a shoe into the tubular structure at 1102 so that the strap 104 is generally located in the front of the shoe at 1104 and the heel section 106 is located toward the heel of the shoe 102 at 1106. The protector may be placed on and located onto the shoe while the shoe is being worn or before the shoe is put on a foot. The protector may also be left on the shoe after the shoe is removed, so that the person need not keep taking the heel protector on and off. Thereafter, the heel section 106 and/or any folds may be expanded at 1108 to cover all or substantially the entire heel and rear portion of the shoe. In this instance, any folds will be unfolded and the heel section 106 will be stretched as necessary to provide the desired coverage over the heel and the rear portion of the shoe. The base 110 may be fit around and/or under the base of the heel of the shoe, while the opposite end of the heel section 106 may similarly be fit around and/over the top of the rear portion of the shoe. Minimizing coverage of the shoe 102 provides the most protection while limiting any interference with driving or any other activity being performed while the protector is being used.

The strap 104 may be sufficiently flexible so that the strap 104 may be crossed over the top of the shoe at 1110 and a loop created by crossing the strap 104 may be passed over the toe section of the shoe at 1112 as shown in FIGS. 2a-2b, 5a-5b, and 10a-10b. In this instance, the loop of the strap 104 is preferably located at the incline of the bottom or sole of the shoe at 1114 as shown in FIGS. 2a and 10a.

The shoe protector may also include openings to tailor the stretchability and other characteristics of the protector as shown in FIGS. 3a and 7a. For example, the strap 104 may split into a plurality of intermediate straps 302 that transition into the heel portion 106 as shown. Alternatively, the protector may include a plurality of straps 104 each transitioning into the heel portion 106 as shown in FIGS. 4a and 8a. The transition between the strap 104 and the heel portion 106 may include an ornamental feature as shown in FIG. 6a. The ornamental feature may be incorporated into a snap or button for the strap 104 to be connected releasably to the heel portion 106.

While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope thereof.

Claims

1. A heel protector comprising a tubular structure having a strap section and a heel section, the heel section comprising a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges, the heel section therewith expandable vertically.

2. The heel protector of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure is made from a stretchable material.

3. The heel protector of claim 2, wherein the stretchable material comprises at least one of silicon, rubber, latex, spandex, and gel.

4. The heel protector of claim 1, wherein the strap and the heel section form a continuous tubular structure.

5. A method comprising; passing a shoe through a tubular structure of a heel protector, the heel protector having a strap and a heel section, the heel section comprising a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges, the heel section therewith expandable vertically;locating the strap over a front of the shoe;locating the heel section over a heel of the shoe; andexpanding vertically the heel section.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising expanding the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and at least a rear portion of the shoe.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising expanding the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and a rear portion of the shoe, the heel section expanded to cover from a base of the heel to a top of the rear portion of the shoe.

8. The method of claim 5, comprising forming a loop by crossing the strap and passing the loop over a toe section of the shoe.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising locating the loop at an incline of a sole of the shoe.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the tubular structure of the heel protector is made from a stretchable material.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stretchable material comprises at least one of silicon, rubber, latex, spandex, and gel.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the strap and the heel section form a continuous tubular structure.

13. A method comprising; passing a shoe through a tubular structure of a heel protector, the heel protector having a strap and a heel section, the heel section comprising a plurality of alternating annular strips of material and annular ridges, the heel section therewith expandable vertically;locating the strap over a front of the shoe;locating the heel section over a heel of the shoe;expanding vertically the heel section so that the heel section covers the heel of the shoe and at least a rear portion of the shoe;forming a loop by crossing the strap and passing the loop over a toe section of the shoe; andlocating the loop at an incline of a sole of the shoe.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tubular structure of the heel protector is made from a stretchable material.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stretchable material comprises at least one of silicon, rubber, latex, spandex, and gel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the strap and the heel section form a continuous tubular structure.