U.S. patent application number 09/865221 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for shoe heel.
Invention is credited to Brown, Patricia S., Doerer, Daniel M., Schwartz, David H..
Application Number | 20010034957 09/865221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23385926 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010034957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doerer, Daniel M. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Shoe heel
Abstract
A shoe heel includes a rigid heel block that attaches to a shoe
sole at the heel seat on the sole and a top lift having a molded
base that is located below the heel block such that a space exists
between the bottom of the block and the top of the base. This
space, along the peripheries of the block and base, contains a
highly resilient skirt, the interior of which is for the most part
a void. An elastomeric slug projects from the heel block, through
the space, and at its lower end bears against the base of the top
lift. The slug, while being resilient, possesses enough firmness to
support the weight of an individual over the base of the top lift.
The top lift contains pins which project from its base into bores
in the heel block to prevent the top lift from rotating under the
heel block. The slug, while transferring the weight of the
individual to the top lift, attenuates impacts to which the top
lift is subjected.
Inventors: |
Doerer, Daniel M.; (St.
Louis, MO) ; Brown, Patricia S.; (Madison, IL)
; Schwartz, David H.; (St. Louis, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
763 SOUTH NEW BALLAS ROAD
ST. LOUIS
MO
63141-8750
US
|
Family ID: |
23385926 |
Appl. No.: |
09/865221 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09865221 |
May 25, 2001 |
|
|
|
09352645 |
Jun 28, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/35R ; 36/36R;
36/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 21/48 20130101;
A43B 21/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/35.00R ;
36/36.00R; 36/37 |
International
Class: |
A43B 021/36; A43B
021/32; A43B 021/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heel for a shoe, said heel comprising: a heel block having a
bottom surface that is presented downwardly and a cavity and a hole
that opens out of the bottom surface, the cavity being set inwardly
from the periphery of the heel block so that it is completely
surrounded by the heel block and having an end surface that is
presented downwardly; a top lift having a base that is located
below the bottom surface of the heel block such that a space exists
between the base and the bottom surface of the heel block, the top
lift having a pin which projects upwardly from the base into the
hole in the heel block, the pin being narrow enough to slide
upwardly and downwardly in the hole; and a slug located within the
cavity in the heel block and having its upper end at the upper
surface of the cavity and its lower end at the base of the top
lift, the slug being formed from a material that is resilient, yet
stiff enough to support the heel block with its bottom surface
located above the top lift, the cross-sectional area of the slug in
the cavity being between about 7% and about 12% of the area of the
top lift.
2. A heel according to claim 1 in which the slug projects through
the space between the bottom surface of the heel block and the top
of the base for the top lift.
3. A heel according to claim 1 wherein the slug is formed from an
elastomer and is firm enough to support the heel block with its
bottom surface spaced from the base of the top lift when an
individual's weight is supported on the heel.
4. A heel according to claim 2 wherein the slug bears against the
upper surface of the cavity and also against the base of the top
lift.
5. A heel according to claim 2 wherein the cavity is a bore having
a closed upper end which forms the upper surface of the cavity.
6. A heel according to claim 2 wherein the hole is one of a
plurality of holes in the heel block, and the pin is one of a
plurality of pins on the base of the top lift.
7. A heel according to claim 6 wherein the slug is located between
the pins.
8. A heel according to claim 6 wherein two pins are located in
front of the slug and another pin is located behind the slug.
9. A heel according to claim 8 wherein the pins have enlarged feet
which are embedded within the base.
10. A heel according to claim 2 and further comprising a skirt
located in the space between the bottom surface of the heel block
and the base of the top lift.
11. A heel according to claim 10 wherein the heel block at its
lower end, the skirt, and the base of the top lift have their
peripheries generally in registration.
12. In combination with a shoe upper and a heel seat on the upper,
a heel extending downwardly from the heel seat and having the
capacity to attenuate impacts, said heel comprising: a rigid heel
block attached to the heel seat and having front, back and side
surfaces as well as a bottom surface that is presented downwardly,
the heel block containing guide bores and a cavity offset from the
bores, the cavity opening out of the bottom surface of the heel
block generally midway between the front and back surfaces of the
heel block and being set inwardly from the front, side and back
surfaces, the cavity having an upper end in the heel block, the
guide bores also opening out of the bottom surface of the heel
block; a top lift attached to the heel block, the top lift
including a base that lies below the bottom surface of the heel
block, with a space being between the bottom surface and the top
lift, the top lift also including guide pins which project upwardly
from the base and into the guide bores where they slide easily in
the bores; a slug located in the cavity and projecting into the
space between the bottom surface of the heel block and the base of
the top lift, the cross-sectioned area of the slug in the cavity
being between about 7% and about 12% of the cross-sectional area of
the top lift, the slug at its one end being against the upper end
of the bore and at its lower end being against the top lift, the
slug being formed from a resilient material and being firm enough
to support the heel block above the base of the top lift under the
weight of the wearer of the shoe, whereby the slug has the capacity
to transfer the weight of the wearer to the base of the top lift,
the slug further being resilient enough to attenuate impacts when
abruptly applied forces are transferred through it; and a resilient
skirt located in the space between the bottom surface of the heel
block and the base of the top lift, the skirt being formed from a
material having greater resiliency than the slug.
13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the skirt has an
outwardly presented surface which is flush with the front, back and
side surfaces of the heel block.
14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein the cavity is
located between the bores.
15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein at least one bore
is in front of the cavity and another bore is behind the
cavity.
16. The combination according to claim 14 where two bores are
located in front of the cavity and another bore is behind the
cavity.
17. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the slug is
formed from an elastomer.
18. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the pins have
feet which are greater in diameter than the bores and rise above
the base of the top lift, but normally not to the bottom surface of
the heel block.
19. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the pins have
heads which lie above the bores and engage the heel block to
prevent withdrawal of the pins from the bores.
20. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the heel block
contains counterbores into which the bores open the bottom surface
of the heel block; and wherein the pins have heads that are located
in the counterbores and are capable of contracting to a size small
enough to fit through the bores and then expanding in the
counterbores to prevent withdrawal of the pins from the bores, so
the top lift does not become detached from the heel block.
21. The combination according to claim 20 wherein the base of the
top lift is molded from rubber or a polymer and the pin is formed
from a polymer and has an enlarged foot which is embedded in the
base.
22. A heel for a shoe, said heel comprising: a heel block having
front, back and side surfaces as well as a bottom surface that is
presented downwardly, the heel block also having a cavity that
opens out of the bottom surface at least 0.6 inches ahead of the
rearmost portion of the back surface, the cavity terminating within
the heel block where the cavity has an upper end, the heel block
also having at least one guide hole that is offset from the cavity
and opens out of the bottom surface; a top lift having a base that
is located below and spaced from the bottom surface of the heel
block, the top lift having a stabilizing pin attached to its base
and projecting upwardly from the base into the hole in the heel
block, the pin being narrow enough to slide upwardly and downwardly
in the hole; a slug located in the cavity in the heel block and
having an upper end against the upper end of the cavity and a lower
end against the base of the top lift, the slug being smaller in
cross section than the bottom surface of the heel block and being
set inwardly from the front, back and side surfaces of the heel
block, the slug being formed from an elastomer that is resilient
and will compress when subjected to impacts imparted by walking and
is stiff enough to support the heel block with its bottom surface
located above the top lift; and a skirt located between the bottom
surface of the heel block and top lift at the front, side, and back
surfaces of the heel block.
23. A heel according to claim 22 wherein the cavity opens out of
the bottom surface of the heel block generally midway between the
front and back surfaces of the heel block.
24. A heel according to claim 22 wherein the hole has an enlarged
region spaced form the bottom surface, and the pin has a head that
is capable of contracting to a size small enough to fit through the
hole and then expand in the enlarged region to prevent withdraw of
the top lift from the heel block.
25. A heel according to claim 24 wherein the base of the top lift
is molded from rubber or a polymer, and the pin is formed from a
polymer and has a foot which is embedded in the base.
26. A heel for a shoe, said heel comprising: a heel block having
front, back and side surfaces as well as a bottom surface that is
presented downwardly, the heel block also having a cavity that
opens out of the bottom surface generally midway between the front
and back surfaces and is substantially smaller in horizontal cross
section than the area of the bottom surface, the cavity terminating
within the heel block where it has an upper end, the heel block
further having a single guide bore between the cavity and the back
surface and two guide bores between the front surface and the
cavity, all of the guide bores being parallel to each other and
opening out of the bottom surface of the heel block, the heel block
further having counterbores into which the guide bores open; a top
lift having a base that is located below, yet spaced from, the
bottom surface of the heel block and having a peripheral surface,
the top lift also having stabilizing pins which project from the
base into the guide bores and have enlarged heads which are located
in the counterbores to prevent the stabilizing pins from being
withdrawn from the guide bores and the top lift from being detached
from the heel block; and a skirt located between the bottom surface
of the heel block and base of the top lift and having an exterior
surface which is flush with the front, back and side surfaces of
the heel block and with the peripheral surface of the top lift.
27. A heel according to claim 26 wherein the enlarged heads of the
stabilizing pins are capable of contracting to a width small enough
to pass through the bores.
28. A heel according to claim 26 wherein the stabilizing pins have
enlarged feet which are embedded in the base and are formed from a
polymer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/352,645, filed Jun. 28, 1999, and which is incorporated
herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates in general to footwear, and more
particularly to a shoe heel that has the capacity to attenuate
impacts encountered in walking or running.
[0004] An individual's normal act of walking--and even more so
running--produces impacts that are transmitted primarily to the
heel of the individual's foot, either directly when the individual
walks or runs without shoes or indirectly when the individual wears
shoes. Some shoes, such as sneakers, have outsoles and insoles
which are molded from elastomers, and are thus capable of reducing
the severity of the impacts. Indeed, some soles for sneakers have
air bladders which even more effectively absorb impacts. But the
traditional dress or casual shoe worn by women has a rigid heel
with a thin sock lining over the heel seat at the upper end of the
heel. Impacts transfer with little attenuation through the heel,
heel seat and lining to the heel of the individual's foot, and can
cause discomfort, particularly after long periods of walking or
standing on hard surfaces.
[0005] To be sure, others have undertaken efforts to incorporate
shock-absorbing devices into the heels of dress and casual shoes,
but for the most part these efforts have not met with success. Some
of these devices cannot withstand the impacts themselves. Others
are too complex and cost too much to manufacture. The typical dress
or casual shoe continues to have a solid heel which transmits
impacts to the wearer's heel with little or no attenuation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention resides in a shoe heel having a rigid
block and a top lift which is coupled to the block such that the
block may be depressed toward the top lift under moderate force,
whereby impacts that would otherwise be transmitted to the heel of
the wearer's foot are to a large measure absorbed in the heel. To
this end, the heel block contains a slug of resilient material
which projects from it and bears against the upper surface of the
top lift. Being resilient the slug absorbs impacts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having a heel
constructed in accordance with and embodying the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heel;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
3
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring now to the drawings, a dress or casual shoe A
(FIG. 1) has an upper 2, which generally conforms to the shape of
the user's foot and has the usual vamp 4 at its forepart, quarters
6 along its sides, a counter 8 at its rear and a top line 10 which
provides an opening through which the wearer's foot is inserted.
The shoe A also has a sole 14 to which the upper 2 is attached such
that the sole 14 underlies the upper 2. Beneath the vamp 4 of the
upper 2 the sole 14 contacts the surface upon which the wearer
walks, but the sole 14 also includes a shank 16 and heel seat 18
which are elevated from that surface, the heel seat 18 lying at the
rear of the upper 2 in the region of its counter 8 and the shank 16
being immediately ahead of it beneath the quarters 6. Finally, the
shoe A has a heel 20 which is attached to the sole 14 at its heel
seat 18 and indeed underlies the heel seat 18.
[0013] The heel 20 basically includes (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) a rigid
heel block 22, a top lift 24 located beneath the heel block 22, and
a decorative resilient skirt 26 located between the heel block 22
and the top lift 24. In addition, the heel 20 has a slug 28 of
resilient material (such as an elastomer) which extends from within
the heel block 22 to the top surface of the top lift 24 and is firm
enough to support the heel block 22 on the top lift 24 under the
weight of the wearer. Yet the slug 28 is resilient enough to deform
in the presence of impacts, so that impacts are attenuated through
the slug 28. The top lift 24, like the forepart of the sole 14,
contacts the surface over which the wearer walks. It possesses some
flexibility and extends fore and aft of the slug 28 so that it can
flex toward the heel block 22 ahead of and behind the slug 28.
[0014] The heel block 22 is formed from a rigid substance,
preferably a molded polymer. It has (FIGS. 2 and 3) a top surface
30 which is contoured to conform to the bottom surface of the heel
seat 18 for the sole 14. Here the heel 20 is attached firmly to the
heel seat 18. The heel block 22 also has a flat bottom surface 32,
a front-surface or breast 34, and side and back surfaces 36 and 38.
Generally midway between its breast 34 and back surface 38, the
heel block 22 contains a bore 40 (FIG. 3) which opens out of the
bottom surface 32, but is closed at its top. The axis of the bore
40 lies perpendicular to the bottom surface 32 of the heel block
22. The bore 40 forms a cavity that is large enough to accommodate
the slug 28, and indeed the slug 28 fits into the bore 40 with its
upper end against the top surface of the bore 40. But the slug 28
is longer than the bore 40, so that its lower end lies below the
bottom surface 32 of heel block 22.
[0015] In front of the bore 40, the heel block 22 contains two
guide bores 42 (FIG. 3), and to the rear of the bore 40, the block
22 contains a single guide bore 44. The guide bores 42 and 44 have
their axes parallel to the common axis of the bore 40, but they are
considerably smaller in diameter. Each opens out of the bottom
surface 32 of the heel block 22 at its lower end and into a
counterbore 46 at its upper end, there being a shoulder 48 between
each bore 42, 44 and its counterbore 46.
[0016] The decorative resilient skirt 26 is formed from a highly
flexible, low density, cellular material that provides
substantially no shock attenuation. The skirt 26 has (FIGS. 2 and
4) a smooth exterior surface 50 and an elongated internal cavity 52
that extends completely through the skirt 26 and renders most of
its interior a void. One polymer suitable for the skirt 26 is a
microcellular polyurethane. The skirt 26 is attached with an
adhesive to the bottom surface 32 of the heel block 22 with its
exterior surface 50 flush with the breast 34, side surfaces 36 and
back surface 38 of the heel block 22. The cavity 52 is large enough
to leave the bore 40 and the three guide bores 42 and 44 exposed
through the skirt 26. Hence, the skirt 26 serves essentially to
enclose the shock attenuation mechanism of the heel.
[0017] The top lift 24 includes a molded base 60 which is formed
from a material that is more rigid than either the skirt 26 or the
slug 28 and is reasonably resistant to wear, inasmuch as it comes
against the surface over which the wearer walks, yet possesses a
measure of flexibility. Rubber or polyurethane is suitable for this
purpose. The base 60 has (FIGS. 2 and 3) a bottom surface 62 which
is provided with ridges or some other pattern to enhance traction
as well as a peripheral surface 64 and top surface 66. The
peripheral surface 64 conforms to the exterior surface 50 of the
skirt 26 and indeed the top surface 66 is attached with an adhesive
to the bottom of the skirt 24 such that the peripheral surface 64
of the top lift 24 lies flush with the exterior surface 50 of the
skirt 26.
[0018] In addition to the molded base 60, the top lift 24 includes
(FIGS. 2-4) two front stabilizing pins 70 and a single rear
stabilizing pin 72, each of which is firmly secured in the base 60
and projects upwardly from the base 60 perpendicular to its top
surface 66. The pins 70 and 72, which lie parallel to each other,
are preferably molded from a polymer which is somewhat flexible,
but more rigid than the polymer of the base 60. The front pins 70
align with and are received in front guide bores 42, whereas the
rear pin 72 aligns with and is received in the rear guide bore 44.
The stabilizing pins 70 and 72 allow the top lift 24 to move toward
and away from the heel block 22, but prevent it from rotating under
the heel block 22. As a consequence, the peripheral surface 64 of
the top lift 24 remains in registration with the peripheral surface
64 of the skirt 26 and with the breast 34, side surfaces 36 and
back surface 38 of the heel block 22.
[0019] Each stabilizing pin 70 and 72 has a foot 74, the diameter
of which is larger than the diameter of bore 42 or 44 into which
the pin 70 or 72 fits. The foot 74 rises out of the top lift 24,
extending above the top surface 66 of the top lift 24 a distance
that is less than one-half the thickness of the skirt 26 when it is
unrestrained and more closely approaching one-third the thickness
of the skirt 26. At its lower end the foot 74 has a flange 76 which
is embedded in the molded base 60. In addition to its foot 74, each
pin 70 and 72 has a shank 78 which rises from the foot 74. The
shank 78 possesses a uniform diameter, and that diameter is
slightly less than the diameter of the guide bores 42, 44. Indeed,
the shanks 78 for the pins 70 and 72 project into their respective
guide bores 42 and 44 and when the skirt 26 is not deformed, they
rise to the shoulders 48 at the upper ends of the bores 42 and 44.
At the upper end of its shank 78 each guide pin 70 and 72 has a
head 80 which is larger in diameter than the bore 42 or 44 through
which the shank 78 extends, but smaller in diameter than the
counterbore 46 into which the bore 42 or 44 opens. The head 80
projects at a right angle over the shoulder 48 where the bore 42 or
44 opens into the counterbore 46, and prevents the pin 70 or 72
from being withdrawn from the bore 42 or 44. Each head 80 has a
beveled leading surface 82 and an axially directed slot 84 which
extends well into the shank 78. This enables the head 80 and the
shank 78 to contract, which facilitates assembly of the heel
20.
[0020] Indeed, during assembly, the heads 80 of the pins 70 and 72
are aligned with the respective bores 42 and 44 for those pins 70
and 72, and the entire top lift 24 is forced toward the heel block
22. The heads 80 contract and pass through the bores 42 and 44.
Once the heads 80 enter the counterbores 46 at the upper ends of
those bores 42 and 44, they snap outwardly, thus locking the pins
70 and 72 in their respective bores 42 and 44.
[0021] More or less guide pins 70 and 72 may be used. For example,
only a single guide pin 70 may be located ahead of the bore 40.
[0022] The slug 28 fits into the bore 40 of the heel block 22 where
its upper end bears against the closed end of the bore 40 (FIG. 3).
The slug 28 projects downwardly out of the bore 40 and through the
cavity 52 in the skirt 26. Its lower end bears against the top
surface 66 of the base 60 for the top lift 24. Preferably the slug
28 is about 0.75 in. long and when unstressed it extends 0.25
in+/-0.010 in. between the bottom surface 32 of the heel block 22
and the top surface 66 of the top lift 24. The diameter of the slug
28 when unstressed is only slightly smaller than the diameter of
the bore 40. Preferably the bore 40 has a diameter of 0.500
in.+0.020 in.,-0.000 in., while the slug 28, when unstressed, has a
diameter of 0.480 in.+0.000 in.-0.020 in., leaving a clearance of
0.020 in. to 0.060 in.
[0023] However, the slug 28 may range in diameter from about 0.44
inches to about 0.56 inches which translates into cross-sectional
areas ranging from about 0.15 in.sup.2 to about 0.25 in.sup.2,
should the slug be other than cylindrical. Of course, the bore 40
should conform in cross-sectional configuration to the slug, yet
should be slightly larger. Moreover, the cross-sectional area of
the slug 28 should be between about 7% and about 12% of the
cross-sectional area of the bottom surface 60 on the top lift 24.
The rear most surface area on the cavity 40 should be set to at
least 0.60 inches ahead of the rearmost portion of the back surface
38 of the heel block 22 and its forwardmost surface area should be
set about 0.62 inches to about 0.68 inches behind the breast 34 of
the heel block 22, with the dimensions being along the bottom
surface 32. The lateral most surface areas on the slug 28 should be
set inwardly from the side surface 36 of the heel block 22, with
the dimensions again being taken at the bottom surface 32.
[0024] The slug 28 is formed from a material which is reasonably
firm, yet has the capacity to deform elastically under a force.
Thus, while the slug 28 supports the heel block 22 over the top
lift 24 and thereby transfers the weight of the wearer to the top
lift 24, it has the capacity to yield somewhat so that impacts are
absorbed by it. The slug 28 yields under a compressive force and in
so doing expands into the cavity 52 where it remains unconfined
laterally and also expands in the bore 40 as well. Elastomers are
suitable for the slug 28, polyurethane being particularly well
suited.
[0025] In use, the wearer of the shoe A walks over pavement or some
other surface with the usual stride and with each step the top lift
24 of the heel 20 first contacts the pavement and then the forepart
of the sole 14. Indeed, the rear most portion of the top lift 24
initially contacts the pavement and flexes slightly behind the slug
28, and this to a measure absorbs some of the impact. But the top
lift 24 then comes down flat against the pavement, the wearer's
weight is transferred to the heel block 22 and through the slug 28
to the top lift 24. While the descent of the top lift 24 abruptly
ends, the heel block 22 continues downwardly owing to the elastic
deformation of the slug 28 which in effect lies between the heel
block 22 and the top lift 24. As the slug 28 is compressed axially,
it offers progressively more resistance to the compression and
after about 0.20 to 0.23 inches of compression it supports the
wearer without significant further deformation. As the slug 28
compresses it deforms into the cavity 52 of the skirt 24 and also
in the bore 40 in which the slug 28 is located. The skirt 24 also
deforms, but offers little support for the heel block 22, since the
material from which it is formed is considerably more resilient
than the elastomer from which the slug 28 is formed. Extremely
heavy forces bring the bottom surface 32 of the heel block 22 to
the feet 74 on the pins 70 and 72, and the feet 74 prevent further
descent of the heel block 22.
[0026] As the slug 28 compresses, the stabilizing pins 70 and 72
slide further into their respective guides bores 42 and 44, but
offer essentially no resistance to the descent of the heel block 22
toward the top lift 24. The pins 70 and 72 also prevent the top
lift 24 from rotating relative to the heel block 22, so that when
the wearer turns or pivots the shoe A, the top lift 24 follows heel
block 22. The pins 70 and 72 further add a measure of stability to
the top lift 24 in that they rigidify it longitudinally and
laterally and thereby retard significant rocking sideways or
forwardly and backwardly beneath the heel block 22, this being by
reason of the generally rigid coupling between the feet 74 of the
pins 70 and 72 and the base 60 of the top lift 24. In this way, the
pins 70 and 72 compensate for the relatively little lateral and
longitudinal support provided by the skirt 26.
[0027] This invention is intended to cover all changes and
modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for
purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *