Patent Grant
10694807
Foot pain generally starts in one of three places: the toes, the forefoot or the hindfoot. Toe problems most often occur because of the pressure imposed by ill-fitting shoes. The forefoot is in the front of the foot. Pain originating in this area usually involves the metatarsal or sesamoid bones. The metatarsal or sesamoid bones are the two small bones embedded at the top of the first metatarsal bone, which connects to the big toe. The hindfoot is the back of the foot. Pain originating in this area can extend from the heel, across the sole (known as the plantar surface), to the ball of the foot (the metatarsophalangeal joint).
Nearly all causes of foot pain can be grouped under one of three causes. First, poorly fitting shoes are a frequent cause of foot pain. High-heeled shoes concentrate pressure on toes and can aggravate, if not cause problems with toes. Second, certain medical conditions that cause a disturbance in the way a person walks can contribute to foot pain. Common foot injuries include corns, calluses, blisters, muscle cramps, acute knee and ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.
I've designed an accessory for use with women's footwear that could provide added strength for the heel while providing support for the woman's feet. This practical and convenient product would consist of a hard, durable, rubber sleeve that would sit atop the heel. This product would feature a circular base and would be produced in the shape of a wine glass stem. This invention would allow women to feel secure, comfortable and stable when walking in heels. The use of this product could prevent various foot problems that could lead to expensive and time consuming visits to a podiatrist.
My invention is to be called the “Show Stopper Shoe Topper.” The “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” is a covering to be positioned atop the heels of women's shoes to provide added strength and support while protecting this component of the footwear. This footwear accessory could provide wearers with added comfort as well as being an eye-catching addition to the shoe. This protective product would consist of a supportive cylindrical sleeve, produced from a durable rubber which would rest atop the heel. Positioned upon the bottom of the “Shoe Stopper Shoe Topper” cylindrical sleeve would be a sturdy circular base. The circular base would prevent the heel from getting caught in narrow spaces such as a metal grid on the ground. The product would resemble that of a wine glass stem with a circular sturdy base. I envision this product being in different sizes to accommodate various styles and sizes of women's footwear. Included could be kitten heels, pumps, stilettos, ankle strap heels, cone heels, sling back heels, platform heels, high heel sandals, mules, corset heels, etc. In addition, it would be produced in a plethora of colors that may be enlivened by various embellishments. Alternatively, the heel covering may be transparent to allow the heel to still be visible. The wearer would take the circular opening side and attach it to each heel of their shoes. The circular sturdy base touches the ground. The circular base can be made in varying widths and heights. The “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” is as easy as putting on a glove. It is a shoe accessory that can be used on virtually any type of heel. The “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” could be produced in heights from 2 to 10 inches with the width measuring of the cylindrical sleeve varying from 1/16 to ¾ inch. There will be alternate versions of the shoe accessory made with a hallowed compression ball of varying sizes depended upon the shoe type inserted in the circular base for added comfort.
Possible versions of my invention that could be manufactured would be that shoe makers could start making heels with this type of heel if I do a licensing deal. Making shoes with this shape would revolutionize the way women's shoes are worn. Different heights, shapes, styles, base ideas, and colors are all possible. Different shapes depending on type of heel and different bases depending on how much support the individual needs. Different styles depending on the desire of the customer for their shoe type.
I believe this “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” would fulfill the need for a protective covering for women's heels that could provide wearers with enhanced support and added comfort. This product offers convenience, ease of placement and a reasonable price. This product also offers a protective covering which would save on repair and replacement of costly footwear. This product would be positioned atop the heels in order to protect them from damage while also enhancing their strength and support. The “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” will allow shoe wearers to feel secure as well as confident while helping them to maintain their balance in their heels. “The Show Stopper Shoe Topper” would be durable, lightweight, compact, and easily stored. It would be reasonably priced and reusable. Versions of the “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” could be produced in many sizes and shapes to accommodate a multitude of women's footwear. My product may also be produced in a plethora of colors and displaying a multitude of embellishments to enhance the appearance of the shoes. This may be of particular appeal with shoes featuring a worn or damaged heel. By providing women with added support and enhanced comfort, the use of the “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” may also reduce the incidence of various types of foot problems.
I was inspired to come up with this idea because I modeled in high school/college and years after on fashion runways. I ended up needing bunion surgery on both feet and corrective surgery on all my toes. I felt a need for a product that offered women more support to make wearing shoes with heels more comfortable and to give a woman more confidence. I believe this invention fulfills the need for a more comfortable heel.
During my pregnancies I never wore heels because I was not confident of the heel support. With this accessory, I would wear heels during pregnancy. Another benefit is this accessory lengthens how long a heel lasts. Also, it provides many useful options to women as to how they want their shoes to look while having the ease of use that allows them to slip this product on or off with ease. The inside of this cylindrical sleeve will be made of a material that is protective to the heel while giving enough grip that you won't ever have to worry about it ever slipping off from the heel.
The “Show Stopper Shoe Topper” could easily be produced using conventional and readily available materials and manufacturing processes. No new production technology would be required. The covering for the heel may be produced from a durable, molded rubber. It may also be made from natural rubber or Neoprene, GR-S, silicone, nitrile, butyl compounds, polyacrylate, and urethane elastomers which are some of the synthetic rubbers.
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The referenced numerals follow the numbering used throughout the different figure drawings.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180042341 A1 | Feb 2018 | US |
