Patent Application
20160051002
This invention pertains to the field of footwear accessories and more specifically relates to devices and methods for preserving the condition of high heel shoes.
High heel shoes raise the foot of the wearer above the toes, making the wearer's legs appear more long and slender, and also forcing the body to tilt forward while walking. Some types of high heel shoes such as the stiletto comprise a tall, slim heel post with generally at least a minimum height of an inch (or two) and a thin diameter at the point of contact with the ground (the heel tip). This design may concentrate much of the weight of the wearer into the small tip of the heel post (i.e., the heel tip, aka, top lift, dowel lift, top piece), which can make walking more difficult, cause significant pain in the ball of the foot, lessen the control of the wearer, damage floors, and cause loud stepping. Certain devices over the years have been created to try and compensate for some of these problems. For example, some caps attach to the heel tip to protect the heel tip, protect ground surfaces or other things underneath the heel tip, increase comfort, and reduce footstep noise. Some caps are often cup shaped, u-shaped, and/or have D-shaped cross sections, and cover the heel tip with a portion of the cap lying between the heel tip and the ground, and have a larger diameter than the heel tip, thereby distributing pressure over a larger surface area. Other devices may intend to compensate for certain structural disadvantages of high heels by increasing the sheer strength of the heel post, for example once the heel post has broken due to a sudden transverse force, caused for example by the heel post getting caught in underground openings, the wearer stumbling, etc.
Although these devices may perform their intended functions as expected, problems continue to exist relating to the use of high heel shoes, for which practical and adequate solutions do not exist in the market. For example, a wearer may develop a particular fondness for a pair (or many different pairs) of high heels. Yet, eventually use may lead to deterioration of the condition of the high heels, and the appearance fading, becoming blemished, and/or worn out. Eventually the pair of high heels may not serve the intended purpose, at least not to the same degree as before, and regardless of the wearer's previous fondness for the shoes, the shoes may have to be discarded. It would be desirable, therefore if a device existed that assisted in prolonging the striking appearance of a high heel and preserve its like-new condition.
Due possibly in part to the heel post's increasing diameter the greater the distance from the heel tip, the heel post and high heel areas surrounding the heel post may be particularly susceptible to wear and tear. Dust and dirt and other unwanted particles may be dislodged from the ground by the heel tip and/or the sole of the high heel, and may consequently adhere to and form a residue against the sides of the heel post. Such particles accelerate deterioration, cause discoloration, and may also cause blemishes along the heel post area. In addition, inadvertent (and potentially lateral) contact to the heel post by a variety of objects (due possibly to the somewhat unstable and more exposed position of the heel post) may also cause dings to the sides of the heel post and lacerations to the finish. For example, such wear and tear could occur to a pair of high heels from stepping in dirt, in a puddle, or accidentally stepping in a grate. Thus, it would be desirable if a device existed for protecting the heel post and surrounding area. The aforementioned cap devices for protecting the heel tips of high heels, or for sheer strength, do not sufficiently accomplish such a task, nor were they intended to. Rather, such devices are usually limited in height (to generally not more than about a half-inch) and do not extend protection over a substantial length of the heel post.
In addition, although a primary purpose of wearing high heels is to look fashionable, such cap-like devices may often detract from some of the aesthetic appeal of the high heel design. Specifically, such caps are often bulky in comparison to the slender heel post and therefore may “stick out.” Although some caps may be intended to match the color of a shoe, given the variety of shoe colors and color patterns this may not be easily accomplishable, and it would furthermore be economically impractical to manufacture caps for each shoe design and color. Even if semi-transparent caps were to exist, they would presumably be based on prior art cap designs and therefore would still be somewhat bulky in relation to the heel post and consequently would not adequately “blend in” with the high heel design. Similar to heel-tip protectors, other devices may also have certain disadvantages relating to either aesthetics and/or protecting the heel post and surrounding area. Thus, in light of the considerable amount of discomfort a person may be willing to undergo to wear, and may be willing to spend on, a stylish pair of high heels, it would be desirable if a device existed that not only protected the heel post area from unwanted wear and tear and dings, scuffs, etc., thereby prolonging the life of the shoe, but that did so while preserving the appearance of the high post part of the high heel to the outward observer.
Described herein is a device for protecting the heel post area of a high heel. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material having a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area so that said area is covered. The device may further comprise front and back sides, with the front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area from dust and dirt and other particles, as well as from the damaging impact of other objects. The back side may comprise an adhesive for adhering to the surface of the heel post area. In one embodiment, the adhesive may removably attach to the heel post area, having sufficient adhesiveness to attach to the high post area surface yet later be removed without leaving adhesive (and potentially visible) residue on the heel post area surface. It is anticipated that such a removable capability may be desirable for instances where the adhesiveness might wear out, or if the front surface of the device becomes scratched or otherwise obtains blemishes that render it less serviceable or less transparent.
Although configured for wrapping around the heel post area, the size and particular shape of different device embodiments for accomplishing this may vary according to embodiment. In one embodiment, for example, a first end (or top end) of the device, for wrapping around a higher part of the heel post, may have a wider width than a second end (or bottom end) for attaching to a point lower on the heel post, the first end and second end being connected by a device body of material, having a predetermined length. Said length of the device may vary according to embodiment, depending on, for example, the height of a particular heel post, and may not necessarily be equal to the sides of the device, since said sides (separating the top end from the bottom end), due to the different widths of the top and bottom ends may be angled slightly and therefore may in some embodiments have longer lengths than the device length separating the top end from the bottom end at the shortest point possible. In some embodiments, it is anticipated that the device may cover substantially three-quarters of the heel post area. Also in some embodiments, the shape of the device may be configured to cover and wrap around the heel post area, but not necessarily wrap all the way around the entire circumference of the heel post—in particular toward the frontward direction of the person, i.e., towards the toes of the person. For example, in one specific embodiment, the device may comprise a shape so that after the back side adheres to a portion of the heel post area, the device may leave a vertical running slit in the inside direction (i.e., facing the toe area of the heel shoe), which may often be a less visible part of the heel post area. Said slit may or may not run the entire vertical length of the device, and in some embodiments may form a means for removing the device more easily. In other words, said slit may form an openable seam for removal of the device. In addition, in one embodiment, one portion of the side of the device along the slit may also feature a small piece jutting horizontally into the slitted area from the rest of the device, for gripping with fingertips to allow removing more conveniently. Other means for forming an openable seam for removal may also be provided in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, the device may comprise several pieces or strips for attaching to different areas of the heel post. In other embodiments, the device may comprise a shape, or different pieces together may comprise a shape, for also covering the upper portion of the heel post area, and not just the heel post itself.
In one embodiment, the sizes of the device may comprise different predetermined sizes such as small, medium, and large, for attaching to different-sized heel posts. For example, for a certain style of three-inch (or substantially three-inch) high heel shoes found commonly in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of two and a half to three and a half inches and preferably about three inches, a top end width in a range of three and a half to four and a half inches and preferably about four inches, and a length ranging from about one and a half to two and a half inches, and preferably about two inches. Similarly, for a certain style of four-inch (or substantially four-inch) high heel shoes found in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of one to two inches and preferably about one and a half inches, a top end width in a range of three to four inches and preferably about three and half inches, and a length ranging from about two to three inches, and preferably about two and a half inches. By way of further illustration, for a certain style of six-inch (or substantially six-inch) high heel shoes found in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of one half to one and one half inches and preferably about one inch, a top end width in a range of one and a half to two and a half inches and preferably about two inches, and a length ranging from about two and a half to three and a half inches, and preferably about three inches.
In certain embodiments, the device may also be configured in various ways to make it less noticeable. For example, the flexible material may in one preferred embodiment be transparent, and according to variation may comprise different types of transparent materials, such as a plastic (and preferably a recyclable or biodegradable plastic, or other suitable environmentally-friendly material). The materials, for example, may include but not be limited to: polyester, cellulose acetate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride. Also, different embodiments may comprise varying thicknesses, so that the device, when wrapped around at least a portion of the heel post area, is not bulky and remains largely unnoticeable to the casual observer. In some embodiments, for example, the flexible material may comprise a thickness of 3 gauge to 50 gauge. In other embodiments, the back side may be configured to adhere to the heel post area so that the likelihood of visible pockets of air between the surface of the heel post area and the back side is substantially diminished. For example, said embodiments may comprise shapes adapted for evenly distributing the flexible material over the portion of the surface that is covered. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the material and finish of the front side may have a predetermined level of “shininess” or otherwise may be configured for reflecting light at a predetermined level (i.e., “gloss”), according to embodiment, and intended to match the level of light reflection or shininess (i.e, gloss) of the surface of the natural heel post area, which may depend on the finish of said area surface and/or the material comprising said heel post area of the shoe. For example, in certain embodiments the device material and/or device front side may be either gloss-like or neutral, depending on the shoe.
In contrast to bulky, heavier, harder caps, it is anticipated that embodiments of the device may be lightweight and more conveniently easily portable (in for example, a purse). Moreover, in some embodiments, a transfer sheet structure may be included for more convenient storing and carrying of the device, which transfer street structure may be configured for assisting in retaining the adhesive qualities of the back side without the back side securely adhering to the transfer sheet structure. Also in contrast to caps and other prior art devices for covering the heel tip, therefore requiring harder material capable of bearing a high amount of pressure placed thereon, the device described herein may be comprised of material that is relatively less expensive to manufacture. It is anticipated that such relative low costs may be passed onto consumers and therefore make regular replacing the device a more attractive option. Although the device described herein is comprised of transparent material and has one objective of being less or not noticeable, it is anticipated that some high heel wearers may, instead of utilize material that is intended to be visible yet enhancement the aesthetic features of the high heel. For example, some such devices may comprise a top side having patterns or designs that are visible and in fact intended to complement the color or design of the high heel shoe.
Described herein is also a method for preserving the condition of the heel post area of a high heel, using the aforementioned device. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of first (if necessary), cleaning/preparing the surface of the heel post area of any unwanted particles, for receiving the adhesive portion of the back side of the device. In some method embodiments for use with a new pair of high heels, the device may be applied directly without substantial or any cleaning/preparing the surface. In some anticipated embodiments, the device may also be removed from a transfer sheet structure configured to assist in retaining the adhesive qualities of the back side without the back side securely adhering to the transfer sheet structure. Once removed from the transfer sheet structure, the adhesive portion may be applied/mounted/attached to the heel post area surface, the particulars of which step may vary according to embodiment. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise the step of removing the device once its condition or appearance has deteriorated, and then potentially replacing the device with another device. It is anticipated that the device and method will have advantageous application shortly after a new pair of high heels is bought, as a preventative measure, in order to most effectively preserve the condition of the heel post.
The above description and listed alternative embodiments are considered that of some embodiments only. It is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described below are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit scope. Alterations and modifications, therefore, and such further applications as would occur to those skilled in the relevant art(s), are also contemplated.
“Heel post area” is defined herein to include the heel post and the pitch, up to the point where the heel post meets the seat of the high heel shoe. The heel post area may include said area of various high heel shoe types, and is not limited to solely the stiletto genre. “Wrap” or “wrapping” is defined as being adhesively placed against at least a portion of a non-planar surface, but need not require completely encircling the circumference of an object.
Turning to the drawings,
Before the device 5 is mounted to the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area, the back side 9 may be stored against another surface 11 for preserving the adhesiveness of the back side 9 (such as the surface of the transfer sheet 11 shown in
Moreover, since the device 5 is comprised of transparent material, when mounted to the high heel shoe 6 the esthetic appearance of the shoe 6 may only minimally be affected. However, as shown in
The shapes and sizes of the device embodiments may vary according to shoe design (including heel post area shape) and to preference. For example, as shown in
