Patent Grant
10420396
This application is directed to an apparatus and method for attaching an accessory to a shoe heel and more particularly is directed to attaching a replacement for a worn stiletto heel tip.
Stiletto heels are commonly worn for fashion, as part of professional business attire, or by persons seeking additional height. These high heel shoes have a relatively narrow lower heel and a heel tip (also referred to as heel lift, dowel lift, or top piece). The heel tip is attached to the bottom of the heel post for protection against the severe abrasive pressure on the heel during normal walking. To securely fasten the heel tip to the heel, a nail stem is driven into a bore extending along the heel post. Various types of heel tips have been devised, but at the present time, conventional heel tips consist of a hard rubber part molded around a metal nail head with the nail stem protruding beyond the rubber material.
A large amount of stress and pressure is concentrated on a heel tip from the impact against the ground, especially when walking on uneven or high-friction surfaces such as concrete. Such forces, coupled with the small surface area of the heel, often cause heel tips to wear out and require frequent replacement. Worn out heel tips are an “in-the-moment” problem that continually plague shoe wearers who wear stiletto heels. Heel tip replacement, the most acceptable solution, is not an instant fix mainly because it requires pulling out the worn heel tip. Although repair at home is possible, most stiletto heel wearers do not have the equipment or expertise to perform this repair without damaging the heels and thus are compelled to take these heels to a shoe repair professional. Professional repair can take several days or a week or more. If an individual forgets to take the stiletto heel in for professional repair (or does not leave enough time for processing), the heels will either not be available or the individual will be stuck with the adverse side effects of worn out heel tips at an inopportune time. The general process of getting heel tips professionally replaced can be a hassle and big source of frustration, especially for those with a tight schedule.
Presently, a simple, instant fix for a worn out heel tip is not available to consumers. Consequently, many people delay replacement and continue to walk on worn out heel tips, sometimes wearing heels away completely until remnants of the metal nail are all that remain. Walking on worn out heel tips involves a variety of adverse side effects. First, the metal nail head can mark, scrape, and generally damage floors. Second, the metal nail head is slippery and increases the risk of sliding on smooth surfaces while walking on such surfaces. The heel tip serves as a protective buffer between the heel post, generally comprising of a vulnerable plastic material, and the ground. As a result, walking on a worn out heel tip can completely wear down the protective hard rubber layer surrounding the metal nail head, exposing the heel post to fraying, erosion, and other damage from friction. Lastly, the exposed metal nail makes a loud, distinct clicking sound as it strikes the ground during walking. This is often viewed as unprofessional in a business environment while being generally bothersome and embarrassing.
Women that work in a more formal business setting commonly wear shoes with a stiletto heel on a daily or regular basis as part of their workplace attire. Due to the frequency of wear, the issue of worn heel tips is a common problem for this group of women. With no quick and easy fix presently available, coping with worn heel tips is especially inconvenient during tightly scheduled business trips that often require being in transit, running around in airports, walking, and standing more than usual. With increased walking and standing, the loud sound of the metal nail head hitting the ground is more noticeable. This sound is distracting and projects an unprofessional image. Aside from the sound, worn out heel tips can result in a visibly unsightly appearance, as the heel post and heel fabric start to noticeably fray with continued wear.
Most commonly, there are instances when women forget to bring their shoes in for a heel tip replacement and are then stuck with the adverse side effects of worn out heel tips at an inopportune time, such as a business trip or a special occasion. This can be a very frustrating revelation with no easy fix.
In addition to the rubber heel tips wearing down frequently, narrow heels of some shoes can be unstable on uneven surfaces such as sidewalk cracks, grates, and cobblestone, potentially causing harm to the wearer and/or shoes. Additionally, walking on soft surfaces, like grass or sand, may be difficult as the narrow heel can sink into the ground and cause damage to the heel.
Prior attempts to create devices and methods for repairing or protecting heel tips fall into two categories: 1) a reconstruction of the heel tip and heel post, mostly aimed at shoe manufacturers and focused on providing an improved mode of replacing worn heel tips without special skills or tools and 2) temporary support devices that attach to heel tips primarily designed to protect the heel tip from uneven or soft surfaces and likewise protect the floor or other soft surfaces against dents and damage from heel tips, with the most notable feature being a larger, wider base for delivering support and distributing force.
The first category of heel repair is not well adapted for use by consumers without specialized skills. The second category consisting of temporary heel tip attachments has been unsuccessful for a variety of reasons, including an ineffective and cumbersome attachment mechanism.
What is presently unavailable and needed is an easy, quick solution for consumers that can offer immediate gratification, for example by providing an instant temporary fix for a worn out heel tip. This solution should be an auxiliary and/or new replacement heel tip either for temporary or permanent attachment directly over the worn heel tip. It will not require disturbing the shoe's existing structure, making the burdensome task of removing the worn heel tip unnecessary and obsolete for temporary fixes. The solution should be inexpensive for consumers, durable to resist a high friction environment, easy to apply, discreet, and should securely attach to the heel tip without the need to necessarily remove the nail or without becoming loose and falling off during use.
The embodiments discussed and within the scope of this application relate to attachable shoe accessories that serve as an auxiliary and/or new replacement heel tips that may be quickly and easily applied over the worn heel tip of a stiletto heel to avoid both the burdens of heel replacement and the adverse side effects resulting from walking on a worn out heel tip. The primary objective of the embodiments is to provide a novel solution that is easy and intuitive to apply, portable, discreet in appearance, durable for at least a short period of time, and securely anchored under a heel during normal walking. One challenge is finding a quick and effective attachment device or method. Some of the embodiments address the issue of attaching a protective device to a limited surface area that can mostly consist of a metal nail. It also provides a solution for protecting the heel from a large concentration of pressure and force. The embodiments reside not in any one feature, but rather in the particular combinations of all of them herein disclosed and claimed. The elements of various embodiments described herein are a durable shielding cup and a device or method for securely attaching the cup over the worn heel tip such that it can withstand the immense abrasive pressures generated during normal walking. Embodiments described herein can be configured to protect the heel without disturbing the existing structure of the shoe. In one embodiment, a shielding cup provided for attaching to a stiletto heel serves as a replacement heel tip that may be quickly and easily applied over the worn heel of a stiletto high heel to avoid or defer for some period of time both the burdens of replacement and the adverse side effects resulting from walking on a worn out heel tip. The shielding cup can comprise one or more of a high-density polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any abrasion resistant material known to those skilled in the art. The walls of the cup can have a lower durometer than the base of the cup. In such embodiments, the walls are more flexible to accommodate different heel sizes. The cup may be attached to the heel by one or more layers of adhesive covering the inner cavity of the cup. This embodiment can be instantly applied anywhere without any special tools or skills, and it would provide an instant layer of protection between the worn heel tip and ground. Additionally, the cup preferably is configured to be discreet once applied. The existing nail or the heel tip may or may not be removed for this solution.
In another embodiment, the shielding cup is attached to the heel by using an elongated self-fusing member and/or adhesives to wrap around the cup and heel to bind them together. Like the first embodiment, this embodiment can be instantly applied anywhere without any other tools or prior knowledge, and it would provide an instant layer of protection between the worn heel tip and ground. Additionally, the cup and self-fusing member can be fashioned to be discreet once applied.
More particularly, the shielding cup is made of a durable, abrasion-resistant material, such as a high durometer polyurethane or a composite such as two polymers or a polymer-metal combination. The side walls can have a lower durometer than the base to allow for more flexibility in the side walls. Additionally, the cup can have features to accommodate different heel sizes and provide for easier insertion or attachment of the heel. These include, but are not limited to, a plurality of steps within the cup, a friction-enhancing surface on the exterior side walls of the cup, slits on the side walls, an adhesive lining within the cup, and an open top with a wider inner perimeter than the heel base. The walls of the cup can also be tapered to make it less noticeable when attached. Tapering can be provided in several ways. For example, the walls can taper or be inclined toward the center of the cup. One can consider this a tapering of the width or profile of the cup. In some embodiments, the thickness of the walls taper, e.g., the walls are thicker toward the bottom and thinner near the top. The walls also can be inclined and have tapering wall thickness in some embodiments. Also, the walls can taper in a non-uniform fashion along the walls such that, for example, one portion (e.g., one-half) of the cup can have a different degree of taper than another portion (e.g., one-half). Other techniques could be applied to provide better adhesion to various heel sizes. One can increase the heel diameter by wrapping some tape or pour polymers around the heel or inside the cup to take any slack between the heel and the cup.
The shielding cup is attached to an exposed heel to temporarily, or for an extended period of time, protect it from wear. This is accomplished by inserting the heel into the open top of the cup. After the cup is applied, the side walls of the cup should cover the sides of the heel but not extend over the entire heel.
An elongate self-fusing member can wrap around the heel tip area before the cup is attached to fill in any empty space between the cup and a smaller sized heel tip. Additionally, the elongate self-fusing member can be attached to securely bind the cup to the heel. The self-fusing member is stretched and contracted around a portion of the cup and heel. The cross-linking property of the self-fusing member activates when exposed to a catalyst. This allows the member to self-fuse in one minute or less.
In another embodiment, the shielding cup is made of a thermoplastic material and is attached by a heat-shrink method, heat, and/or adhesives to attach the cup to the heel. This embodiment requires a hot air hair dryer (also referred to as blowdryer) or a similar heat source for application. By using a blowdryer and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to direct heat to the shielding cup, the thermoplastic material shrinks and conforms to the shape and size of the worn out heel tip. Although the application time would be short, this embodiment would be an “at home” solution rather than an “on the go” solution.
In particular, in one embodiment the side walls can have a lower durometer than the base which allows for more flexibility in the side walls. Additionally, the cup can have features to accommodate different heel sizes and provide for easier insertion or attachment of the heel. These include, but are not limited to, a plurality of steps within the cup, an adhesive lining within the cup, and an open top with a wider inner perimeter than the heel base. The walls of the cup can also be tapered to make it less noticeable when attached. For example, the walls can be inclined toward the center of the cup, e.g., making the cup wider at the base and narrower at the rim. Also, or alternatively, the cup can have tapered (or varying thickness) walls.
This embodiment has heat-shrink properties that allow it to constrict by at least a ratio of 2:1. The heat-shrink cup is attached to an exposed heel to temporarily protect it from wear. This is accomplished by inserting the heel into the open top of the cup. After the cup is applied, the side walls of the cup should cover the sides of the heel but not extend over the entire heel. The cup is then attached by a heat-shrink method utilizing off-the-shelf nozzles or heat source or more custom designs such as a collapsible heat-concentrating accessory.
Various materials could be used in the construction of the different embodiments. The structure configured to shrink can include a heat-shrink thermoplastic material. In particular, the heat-shrink cup can be manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer (such as FEP, PTFE or Kynar), PVC, neoprene, silicone elastomer or Viton. The thermoplastic parts could be reinforced with another material such as a metal or another polymer. The shielding cup can have a composite structure with the lower part being harder than the upper section. This can be achieved either mechanically by creating a tapered structure, cuts or ridges in the walls of the cup, or molding and joining two dissimilar plastics or materials together. Such materials could be polycarbonates, nylon, acetal, polyurethane, silicone, Pebax™, rubber or other materials with similar properties. The adhesives could be natural or synthetic, binding by use of a solvent that evaporates or a chemical reaction between two or more constituents.
In another embodiment, a heat-shrink embodiment of the cup is attached using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The accessory has a narrow opening that is adapted for holding a stiletto heel and a wider opening adapted for directing heat toward the narrow opening. The narrow opening has a screen base and a plurality of holes above the base that serve to direct heat. Once the heat-shrink cup with the heel inserted is placed on the screen base, a heat source is placed into the wider opening and used to heat the cup. The heat source should reach a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius while heating the cup. The cup attaches to the heel by shrinking and conforming to the shape and size of the heel.
The embodiments described herein are highly functional for their intended purpose and are designed to be discreet by emulating the appearance of a heel tip. Furthermore, they can be manufactured at a low cost. Other combinations of materials or shrink tubing and various kinds of an elongate member could also be used.
In some variations, an apparatus that attaches to a stiletto or other heel to cover an exposed heel is provided. The apparatus includes a shielding cup and an elongate member. The shielding cup has a bottom base of durable, abrasion-resistant material, side walls extending away from the bottom base to an open top that serves as the receiving end of the cup. The open top has an outer perimeter not substantially smaller than the perimeter of the bottom base. When applied to the heel tip, the side walls of the cup enclose the sides of the heel without extending over the entire heel. The elongate self-fusing member has a first end and a second end and can comprise a crossed-linked material that stretches and contracts. When portions of the self-fusing member are brought into contact while the elongate member is stretched, the contacting portions bind together to create a substantial force transverse to the heel to secure the shielding cup to the heel. In one case, a zone of overlap between the first end and to the second end is provided upon contact. The zone of contact can be a short length near the first and second ends or a longer length approaching or exceeding the length of the perimeter of the heel tip.
In some variations, an elongate member can be configured to take up or fill a space between the shielding cup and the heel. In further variations, an elongate member can be configured either to take up space or to secure the shielding cup to the heel. For example a first length of the elongate member can be positioned between the cup and the heel while a second length can be used to secure the cup to the heel.
In another embodiment, a method for repairing a stiletto heel is provided. The stiletto heel includes a heel tip disposed at the end of a heel post. The heel post has a first end coupled with the stiletto shoe and a second end adjacent to the tip. In the method, a shielding cup is provided, the cup having a bottom base of durable, abrasion-resistant material, side walls extending away from the bottom base to an open top. The open top has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter not substantially smaller than the perimeter of the bottom base. The shielding cup is placed over the heel tip, or over the heel tip and a portion of the heel post such that the heel tip is covered and the open top is disposed between the first and second end of the heel post. The placement of the cup can be such that the open top is at a location closer to the second end of the heel post than the first end of the heel post.
Thereafter, in some embodiments, heat is applied to the shielding cup to cause the shielding cup to shrink and conform to the shape and size of the heel, e.g., to the heel post in the vicinity of the open top, to securely connect the shielding cup to the heel. The shielding cup provides a replacement heel tip.
In other variations of the method, a spacer is positioned between an inner surface of the side walls and an outer surface of the heel to improve the fit therebetween. Thereafter, the cup can be secured to the heel, e.g., by applying heat or by positioning an elongate member on one or both of the heel and the cup. As discussed below, the elongate member can be a self-fusing member or an adhesive member.
In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that attaches to a stiletto heel to temporarily cover an exposed or worn heel. The apparatus includes a shielding cup having a bottom base of durable, abrasion-resistant material and side walls extending away from the bottom base to an open top. The open top serves as the receiving end of the cup. The open top has an inner perimeter greater than the outer perimeter of the heel base and an outer perimeter not substantially smaller than the perimeter of the bottom base. The shielding cup comprising a structure configured to shrink to cause at least the open top to constrict by at least a ratio of 2:1 in a direction transverse to the heel. When the shielding cup is applied to the heel tip, the side walls of the cup enclose the sides of the heel without extending over the entire heel.
Various embodiments described herein are directed to slip-on shoe accessories that serve to repair, protect, and/or stabilize a stiletto heel. An objective of the embodiments described herein is to provide a solution that is highly functional, easy-to-use, inexpensive to manufacture, discreet in appearance, and securely attaches to the heel during normal walking on various surfaces (e.g. concrete sidewalk, carpet, grass, cobblestone). Embodiments described herein can protect the heel without disturbing the existing structure of the shoe, eliminating the burdensome task of removing the worn heel tip for repairs. One challenge is finding a quick, effective, and discreet method for attaching a heel accessory to a tiny surface area where a lot of force and stress is concentrated.
The embodiments described herein can address the challenges of attaching a discreet, repair device to a limited surface area that can mostly consist of the leftover metal nail of an old heel tip to serve as a new replacement heel tip. Some embodiments described herein can substantially increase the ground contacting surface area of the heel to provide added stability and support when walking on uneven and/or soft surfaces. The advantages/improvements provided by the different embodiments described herein reside not in any one feature, but rather in the particular combinations of various features that are disclosed and claimed.
One novel aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment of a shielding cup comprising sidewalls that are configured as a press fit mechanism to securely attach the cup to a heel tip. The external sidewalls of the shielding cup are tapered along a longitudinal axis of the shielding cup from the base of the cup towards the top of the cup while the internal sidewalls are substantially straight along the depth of the cup such that the sidewall thickness is reduced from the base of the cup towards the top of the cup. In various embodiments, the external sidewalls can be linearly tapered so that an upper section near the open top is substantially thinner than a lower section near the bottom base of the cup. The tapered sidewalls can gradually decrease the mechanical resistance of the sidewalls from the base of the cup towards the top of the cup. This can advantageously facilitate smoothly press fitting the heel into the cup. The thinner sidewalls adjacent the open top can allow for easy initial insertion of a heel wider than the width of the open top and serve as a positioning mechanism during the process of press fitting the heel into the cup. The thicker sidewalls adjacent the bottom of the cup renders the base of the cup more rigid such that it applies a high level of pressure and resistance against the heel to create a tight press fit engagement. The heel post of a stiletto heel typically gets wider higher on the heel, so when the heel is fully inserted into the tapered shielding cup, the engagement between the open top and heel post is tightened, further enhancing the press fit engagement. The press fit engagement is stronger at the thicker sidewall portion adjacent the bottom base where the mechanical resistance of the structure is higher. This is advantageous because when the heel strikes the ground, force is concentrated on the lower portion of the sidewalls adjacent to the bottom base. Accordingly, additional support provided by the increased thickness of the sidewalls in the lower portion of the bottom base can help prevent the sidewalls from rupturing.
In addition to facilitating an easy and effective press fit process, tapering the thickness of the cup as described herein also helps distribute forces more uniformly along the sidewalls. Since the heel tip area is a high impact walking surface, having thicker sidewalls adjacent the bottom base can withstand the forces experienced while walking thereby preventing the heel from breaking through the cap walls.
Various embodiments of the shielding cup described herein can have an open top perimeter that is not substantially smaller than the base perimeter, so that it's discreet to use for repairing or protecting a heel tip without being noticeable on the heel.
Some embodiments described herein comprise a shielding cup that has a widened base having an inner periphery adjacent the sidewalls and an outer periphery surrounding the inner periphery. The inner periphery can have a width that is not substantially larger than a width of the open top while the outer periphery can have a width that is between 1.5-4 times the width of the inner periphery. The external surface of the bottom base between the inner periphery and the outer periphery can be inclined such that a thickness between the bottom surface of the bottom base and the inner periphery is larger than a thickness between the bottom surface of the bottom base and the outer periphery. The shielding cup having a widened base can increase the surface area of the bottom surface that contacts the ground which can provide stability and/or aid walking on uneven or soft surfaces (e.g. grass, sand, etc.) without sinking. Tapering the thickness of the external surface of the bottom base between the inner periphery and the outer periphery can provide additional structural strength to prevent the shielding cup from warping during normal walking. A flat base having a uniform thickness can be flimsy and deform during normal walking, especially on uneven or soft surfaces. Having a tapered base structure where the base thickness gradually increases inward towards the inner periphery can reinforce the base so that it retains its shape during normal walking. The outer periphery can have any shape, such as a circle or flower-shaped.
The embodiments described herein advantageously allow a one material system to create flexible and rigid areas in contrast to embodiments that used at least two different materials. For example, the shielding cup can comprise a rigid material that is rendered flexible in some areas of the shielding cup by reducing a thickness of the sidewall. By using one rigid material to construct the cup, some portions of the cup (e.g., sidewalls adjacent the bottom base) can be configured to be stronger to prevent the heel from puncturing it while some other portions (e.g., sidewalls adjacent the open top) can be configured to be flexible.
In some embodiments, the shielding cup attaches to the heel through use of a method of press fit optimization between the cup and the heel tip of a stiletto shoe. In such embodiments, the thickness of the sidewalls can be configured to be flexible to facilitate an easy, effective press fit system.
Various embodiments of the shielding cup can comprise one or more of a high-density polyethylene, polyurethane, TPU, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any abrasion resistant material known. The walls of the cup can have a lower durometer than the base of the cap. In such embodiments, the walls are more flexible to accommodate different heel sizes. The cap may be attached to the heel by one or more layers of adhesive covering the inner cavity of the cup. Additionally, the cup can be configured to be discreet once applied. The existing nail or the heel tip may or may not be removed prior to attaching the cup over the heel tip.
The structures and methods of using certain embodiments of the inventions will be better understood with the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying illustrations, in which:
The heel protector of some of the embodiments includes a shielding cup 18, 18a comprising of flexible side walls 22 and attached to the heel 16 by a layer of adhesive 24, by radial force applied by tapering walls, or by an elongate self-fusing member 26. In some embodiments, the shielding cup 18, 18a attached to the heel 16 through use of a collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 and method of heat-shrinking said cup 18, 18a to the heel 16.
A. Shielding Cup Attached by an Elongate Member
The shielding cup 18, 18a may be formed of any suitable structural material such as hard rubber, plastic, metal, and/or nylon. Suitable materials include high-density polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or any abrasion resistant material. The shielding cup 18, 18a can be reinforced with another material such as a metal or another polymer. The base 20 of the cup 18, 18a is typically about 1 mm to about 4 mm in thickness and has a maximum width (e.g., diameter) ranging from about 7 mm to about 16 mm. The side walls 22 of the cup 18, 18a range from about 1 mm to about 3 mm in thickness and about 4 mm to about 12 mm in depth inside the cup. These dimensions cover the common range of stiletto heel tip sizes and are designed to emulate the appearance of a heel tip to avoid noticeability. The thickness of the side walls 22 may be uniform or tapered, for example, having a varying dimension along a direction that extends upwardly toward the open top of the shielding cup 18, 18a.
In one embodiment, the cup 18 has a depth from an open top to a substantially flat base inside the cup of between about 4 mm and about 8 mm, with straight side walls 22. In this embodiment, there preferably is one or more ridges on the exterior surface of at least a portion of the walls 22. Preferably this embodiment comprises polyurethane or other material having a hardness of about 90 shore A. This cup embodiment can be coupled with any of the elongate members described herein, which can be used to take up space between the cup 18 and the heel, to secure the cup 18 to the heel, or both to take up space and secure the cup 18 to the heel. In one embodiment, the cup 18 is provided with an elongate member that is between about 5 cm and about 10 cm long and that is between about 6 mm and about 25 mm wide.
The cup 18, 18a includes a base 20 and side walls 22 which form a circle in
In another embodiment shown in
In the embodiment of
In other embodiments of the shielding cups 18, 18a shown in
In another embodiment shown in
The diameter of the cup's top rim 23 may be stretched to a diameter equivalent or greater than the diameter of the base 20. Inserting a heel tip 12 and/or heel post 14 with a diameter larger than the relaxed diameter of the cup's open rim 23 will constrict the cup 18c around the heel tip 12 and/or heel post 14, providing radial force to secure the cup 18c to the heel 16. In this embodiment shown in
In another embodiment shown in
The bottom base 220 can have an inner surface 230 that can contact the base of the heel tip 12 when the shielding cup 18l is placed over the heel tip 12 and an external base surface 232 that is configured to contact the ground or the floor when the shielding cup is placed over the heel tip of a stiletto shoe. The inner surface 230 can be flat or curve upward towards the open top 224 (e.g., concave as shown in
The inner and/or outer perimeter of the bottom base 220 can have a variety of shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, D-shaped, square or rectangular. The inner and/or outer perimeter of the open top 224 can have a variety of shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, D-shaped, square or rectangular. The inner perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224 can have the same shape as the corresponding outer perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224, in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, the inner perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224 can have a different shape from the corresponding outer perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224. The shape of the inner perimeter and/or the outer perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224 can be configured to accommodate different shapes and sizes of heel tips 12 and/or heel posts 14. In some embodiments, the shape of the inner perimeter and/or the outer perimeter of the bottom base 220 or the open top 224 can be configured to provide stability while walking on different surfaces, to improve the fit between the heel tip/heel post and the shielding cup and/or for aesthetic or decorative purpose. In some other embodiments, the inner sidewalls 226 and/or the outer sidewalls 228 can be discontinuous. For example, the inner sidewalls 226 and/or the outer sidewalls 228 can include grooves, ridges, slits, bumps, steps or some other features as discussed above with reference to
The inner perimeter of the open top 224 can have a relaxed cross-sectional width wtop measured along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A and a cross-sectional base width wbase measured along the same transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A when the shielding cup 18l is not attached to or placed on the heel tip 12. The shielding cup can be configured such that the relaxed width wtop can be substantially equal to the base width wbase. For example, the relaxed width wtop can be within ±10% of the base width wbase. As another example, the relaxed width wtop can be equal to the base width wbase within manufacturing tolerance. Accordingly, the inner cavity 246 can be configured to be cylindrical. For example, the inner cavity 246 can be configured as a right circular cylinder with circular top and bottom. As another example, the inner cavity 246 can be configured as an elliptic cylinder with oval top and bottom. As yet another example, the inner cavity 246 can be configured as a polyhedral prism (e.g., a square prism, a rectangular prism, a hexagonal prism, etc.) having a top and a bottom with substantially the same geometry such that a surface area of the top of the inner cavity configured as a polyhedral prism is substantially equal to a surface area of the bottom of the inner cavity configured as a polyhedral prism.
The outer sidewalls 228 can be configured to be tapered from the bottom base 220 towards the open top 224 such that a thickness of sidewalls 222 is reduced towards the open top along the longitudinal axis A-A. For example, as illustrated in
The upper portion of the shielding cup can include sidewalls having a thickness below a threshold thickness while the lower portion of the shielding cup can include sidewalls having a thickness above the threshold thickness. The threshold thickness can be in the range between 0.6 mm and about 1.0 mm. For example, in various embodiments the thickness of the sidewalls 222 in the upper portion of the shielding cup can be between about 0.1 mm and about 1.0 mm, such as, for example, greater than or equal to about 0.2 mm and less than or equal to about 0.6 mm, greater than or equal to about 0.25 mm and less than or equal to about 0.55 mm, greater than or equal to about 0.3 mm and less than or equal to about 0.5 mm or greater than or equal to about 0.35 mm and less than or equal to about 0.45 mm. In various embodiments, the thickness of the sidewalls 222 in the upper portion of the shielding cup can be less than 0.1 mm or greater than 1.0 mm.
As another example, in various embodiments the thickness of the sidewalls 222 in the lower portion of the shielding cup can be between about 0.8 mm and about 5.0 mm, such as, for example, greater than or equal to about 0.8 mm and less than or equal to about 5.0 mm, greater than or equal to about 0.9 mm and less than or equal to about 4.5 mm, greater than or equal to about 1.0 mm and less than or equal to about 4.0 mm, greater than or equal to about 1.5 mm and less than or equal to about 3.5 mm or greater than or equal to about 2.0 mm and less than or equal to about 3.0 mm. In various embodiments, the thickness of the sidewalls in the upper portion of the shielding cup can be configured to deform (e.g., expand, stretch or compress) when a force equivalent to a force created by an average human manually inserting the heel tip of a shoe into the cup is applied. The shielding cup can comprise an elastic material such that the upper sidewalls can elastically deform when the force is applied. Accordingly, the open top 224 and the upper portion of the shielding cup can return to their original shape and size when the force is removed. For example, the open top 224 can return to its original shape and relaxed width wtop when the shielding cup is detached from or no longer applied to the heel tips and/or posts.
The length ‘L’ along the longitudinal axis A-A over which the outer sidewalls 228 are tapered also referred to herein as taper length can be at least about 3.75 times the difference in a thickness of the upper portion and a thickness of the lower portion. For example, the taper length ‘L’ can be at least about 3.75 times the difference between the smallest sidewall thickness in the upper portion and the largest sidewall thickness in the lower portion. As another example, the taper length ‘L’ can be at least about 3.75 times the difference between an average sidewall thickness of the upper portion and an average sidewall thickness of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the taper length can be greater than about 3.75 times the difference in a thickness of the upper portion and a thickness of the lower portion. For example, the taper length can be between about 4 times to about 10 times the difference in a thickness of the upper portion and a thickness of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the taper length can be less than about 3.75 times the difference in a thickness of the upper portion and a thickness of the lower portion. For example, the taper length can be between about 1.5 times to about 3 times the difference in a thickness of the upper portion and a thickness of the lower portion. The taper length is configured to distribute the tapering thickness along the length of the shielding cup such that it creates a distinct thin, flexible upper portion and a thicker, rigid lower portion such that the shielding cup can be attached to the heel tip by a press fit mechanism.
In various embodiments of the shielding cup, the base thickness (e.g., a distance between the inner surface 230 and the outer surface 232 of the bottom base 220 along the longitudinal axis A-A) can be between about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The depth of the inner cavity (e.g., a distance between a portion of the inner sidewalls 226 adjacent the open top 224 and a portion of the inner sidewalls 226 adjacent the inner surface 230) can be between about 9 mm and about 30 mm, such as, for example, between about 9 mm and about 15 mm, between about 10 mm and about 30 mm, between about 12 mm and about 25 mm, between about 15 mm and about 20 mm or a value in any of these ranges or sub-ranges. As discussed above, a width of the inner cavity 246 can be substantially uniform across the depth of the inner cavity. In various embodiments, the width of the inner cavity 246 can be between about 7 mm to about 18 mm to accommodate a wide range of heel sizes. Accordingly, the base width wbase and the relaxed width of the open top wtop can be in the range between about 7 mm to about 18 mm. The width of the open top wtop can be larger than the base width wbase when the upper portion of the shielding cup is deformed to apply the shielding cup to the heel tip.
The thickness of the upper portion and the lower portion of the sidewalls 222, the taper length L and other dimensions of the shielding cup are configured to provide a desired press fit engagement with the heel tip 12 and/or the heel post 14. For example, the upper portion with reduced sidewall thickness is flexible and facilitates positioning of the heel tip 12 and/or a portion of the heel post 14 into the inner cavity 246 during attachment of the shielding cup to the stiletto heel 16. As discussed above, the reduced sidewall thickness allows the walls to elastically deform to engage the periphery of the heel tip 12 and/or a portion of the heel post 14. Once the stiletto heel 16 is positioned in the inner cavity 246, the heel 16 can be pushed further into the inner cavity 246 to engage the thicker sidewalls of the lower portion of the shielding cup. The thicker sidewalls of the lower portion of the shielding cup can have higher mechanical resistance (e.g., higher stiffness or decreased flexibility) on account of the increased sidewall thickness which can advantageously provide a higher pressure or force against the heel tip 12 and/or the heel post 14 such that the shielding cup is secured to the heel 16. The higher mechanical resistance offered by the sidewalls of the lower portion of the shielding cup with increased thickness can advantageously press against the heel to create a tight press fit engagement. The press fit engagement is strongest near the bottom base 220 which experiences the most force during walking. The press fit engagement is further enhanced due to the geometry of a stiletto 10 where the width of the heel post increases from the heel tip 12 towards the base of the stiletto 10. Accordingly, when a heel is fully inserted into the shielding cup, the open top 224 tightly presses against the heel post 14, increasing the length of interference and strengthening the press fit engagement.
In addition to easy insertion and secure press fit attachment, the tapered outer sidewalls 228 can distribute stress evenly over the length of the sidewalls of the shielding cup. There can be a high level of stress generated on the bottom base of the shielding cup when the stiletto heel strikes the ground while walking. Distributing stress across the length of the sidewalls can advantageously prevent premature rupture of the bottom base and/or sidewalls of the shielding cup. In various embodiments, the transition region 244 between the inner sidewalls 226 and the inner surface 230 of the bottom base 220 can be curved to alleviate the stresses on the bottom base 220 and/or the sidewalls 222 while walking. The curved transition region 244 can reduce the amount of deflection that the sidewalls undergo as a result of the forces experienced while walking. In various embodiments, a radius of curvature of the transition region 244 can be between about 0.5 mm to about 0.75 mm.
In various embodiments, the inner periphery 248 can have a width that is substantially equal to a width of the open top 224. For example, the inner periphery 248 can have a width that is within about ±10% of the width of the open top 224. In some embodiments, the inner periphery 248 can have a width that is greater than a width of the open top 224. For example, the inner periphery 248 can have a width between about 20% and about 50% larger than the width of the open top 224. The outer periphery 252 can have a width that is between about 1.5 and about 4.0 times the width of the inner periphery 248. For example, the outer periphery can have a width between about 1-1.5 inches. The expanded bottom base 270 provides a larger ground contacting surface 232 which can advantageously provide increased stability and support when walking on uneven surfaces and/or prevent sinking into softer ground. For example, the expanded bottom base 270 can provide increase stability and support when walking on grass, sand, or other soft/uneven surfaces. The outer periphery 252 can be circular as shown in
In some embodiments, the surface 250 can be inclined from the inner periphery 248 to the outer periphery 252 as shown in
Many features of the embodiments 18m and 18n can be similar to the features of the embodiment 18l of the shielding cup described above with reference to
The various embodiments of the shielding cup illustrated in
Various embodiments of the shielding cup may be made from a transparent material, in different colors, and/or decorated with designs such as logos or various black and white or colorful patterns. The shielding cup may also contain a tracking device for purposes such as tracking number of steps, movement, or location. Such device may be able to communicate with other devices such as smart phones and/or computers.
In another embodiment shown in
In one technique, the self-fusing member 26 can be wrapped around the lower portion of the heel 16 to create a greater heel perimeter. This minimizes any space between the enclosed heel 16 and inner perimeter of the cup 18, 18a before attachment. This technique can expand the variety of shoe configurations with which embodiments can be used. An adhesive layer 24, as previously described and shown in
In another embodiment of the shielding cup 18g shown in
The slits 25 previously discussed and shown in
B. Heat-Shrink Shielding Cup and Method for Attachment
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
The heat-shrink cup may be manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer (such as FEP, PTFE or Kynar), PVC, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, silicone elastomer or Viton. The shrink temperature of the cup 18, 18a is typically close to or at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or 60 degrees Celsius, so that a consumer is able to use this embodiment with a hot air hair dryer, a standard household good. Shrink tubing with higher temperatures are also possible and require heat sources with higher temperatures. The shrink ratio of the material preferably is about 3:1 but in some embodiments a ratio of about 2:1 is adequate. The thickness and height range of the walls can be identical to the previous embodiment. The base of the cup is typically about 1 mm to about 4 mm in thickness and has a diameter (or width) ranging from about 13 mm to about 22 mm. The thickness of the side walls 22 may be uniform or tapered, for example, having a varying dimension along a direction that extends upwardly toward the open top of the shielding cup 18, 18a. Additionally, the side walls 22 can taper or angle inward toward the center.
In the foregoing embodiments, the cup 18, 18a is configured to shrink upon application of heat. While this is a preferred configuration for shrinking the cup 18, 18a other modes for triggering and/or fully completing constriction of the cup 18, 18a onto the heel are possible; any heating source that will create a directed temperature of 60 degrees Celsius may be used.
As shown in
The narrow opening 42 of the collapsible heat-concentrating accessory 30 has a mesh screen or crisscross pattern 34 in the material that can serve as a resting plate for the cup 18, 18a and a positioning device to prevent the cup 18, 18a from falling through the accessory 30. Additionally, the accessory 30 has air vents 36 surrounding the rim of the narrow opening 42 of the accessory 30 which are used to deliver heat higher up to the side wall(s) 22 of the cup 18, 18a. These air vents 36 allow the hot air to flow in a multidirectional pattern rather than solely in an upward direction from the narrow opening 42.
The heat shrink material is very durable after shrinking, providing a strong attachment to a heel, and is discreet because it conforms to a heel's shape and size. Additionally, the heat-shrink cup has a quick application time, such as less than a minute, and can potentially have a lifespan equivalent to that of a heel tip. For these reasons, this embodiment can rival a permanent heel tip replacement and potentially become the primary solution to heel tip replacement.
In various embodiments, the shielding cup may be circular, horseshoe, or any other shape given to high heels. Additionally, the shielding cup and elongate member may be made in different colors and may be decorated with designs such as logos or various black and white or colorful patterns.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/332,905, filed on May 6, 2016, entitled “HEEL PROTECTOR,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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