U.S. patent application number 10/749449 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for shoe heel protector.
Invention is credited to O'Connor, Michael John.
Application Number | 20050138846 10/749449 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34701055 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050138846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Connor, Michael John |
June 30, 2005 |
Shoe heel protector
Abstract
A shoe heel protector includes a middle portion, a first side
portion and a second side portion. The semi-rigid middle portion
substantially covers a rear heel portion of a shoe and is
permanently attached to the shoe. The first side portion is
integrally formed with the middle portion, and the first side
portion partially covers a first side of the shoe. The second side
portion is integrally formed with the middle portion, and the
second side portion partially covers a second side of the shoe.
Inventors: |
O'Connor, Michael John;
(Roscommon, IE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEHRKE & ASSOCIATES, S.C.
123 N. 86th ST
WAUWATOSA
WI
53226
US
|
Family ID: |
34701055 |
Appl. No.: |
10/749449 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/72B |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/30 20130101;
A43B 5/007 20130101; A43B 23/17 20130101; A43B 7/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/072.00B |
International
Class: |
A43B 023/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shoe heel protector comprising: a semi-rigid middle portion,
wherein the middle portion substantially covers a rear heel portion
of a shoe and is permanently attached to the shoe; a first side
portion integrally formed with the middle portion, wherein the
first side portion partially covers a first side of the shoe; and a
second side portion integrally formed with the middle portion,
wherein the second side portion partially covers a second side of
the shoe.
2. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the first
side portion further comprises a first aperture and the second side
portion further comprises a second aperture, wherein the first
aperture aligns with a first eyelet on a front of the shoe and the
second aperture aligns with a second eyelet on the front of the
shoe.
3. The shoe heel protector according to claim 2, wherein a shoelace
is laced through the first aperture and the first eyelet, and the
second aperture and the second eyelet.
4. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the middle
portion includes at least one horizontal ridge integrally formed in
the middle portion.
5. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, further comprising
a bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the protector is secured
to a welt in the shoe.
6. The shoe heel protector according to claim 5, wherein the bottom
edge of the protector is stitched to the welt.
7. The shoe heel protector according to claim 5, wherein the bottom
edge of the protector is adhesively bonded to the welt.
8. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the shoe
is an athletic shoe.
9. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the shoe
is a workboot.
10. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the shoe
is a dress shoe.
11. A shoe heel protector comprising: a semi-rigid middle portion,
wherein the middle portion substantially covers a rear heel portion
of a shoe and is permanently attached to the shoe along a bottom
edge of the middle portion; a first side portion integrally formed
with the middle portion having at least one aperture formed
therein, wherein the first side portion partially covers a first
side of the shoe; a second side portion integrally formed with the
middle portion having at least one aperture formed therein, wherein
the second side portion partially covers a second side of the shoe;
and wherein the at least one aperture formed in the first side
portion and the at least one aperture formed in the second side
portion each align with a corresponding eyelet on a front of the
shoe.
12. The shoe heel protector according to claim 11, wherein a
shoelace is laced through the at least one aperture formed in the
first side portion and the corresponding eyelet, and the at least
one aperture formed in the second side portion and the
corresponding eyelet.
13. The shoe heel protector according to claim 11, wherein the
middle portion includes at least one horizontal ridge integrally
formed in the middle portion.
14. The shoe heel protector according to claim 1, wherein the
bottom edge is secured to a welt in the shoe.
15. The shoe heel protector according to claim 14, wherein the
bottom edge of the protector is stitched to the welt.
16. The shoe heel protector according to claim 14, wherein the
bottom edge of the protector is adhesively bonded to the welt.
17. The shoe heel protector according to claim 11, wherein the shoe
is an athletic shoe.
18. The shoe heel protector according to claim 11, wherein the shoe
is a workboot.
19. The shoe heel protector according to claim 11, wherein the shoe
is a dress shoe.
20. A shoe heel protector comprising: a semi-rigid middle portion,
wherein the middle portion substantially covers a rear heel portion
of a shoe and a bottom edge of the middle portion is secured to a
welt in the shoe; a first side portion integrally formed with the
middle portion, wherein the first side portion partially covers a
first side of the shoe; a second side portion integrally formed
with the middle portion, wherein the second side portion partially
covers a second side of the shoe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a guard for the
heel of a shoe. In particular, the present invention relates to a
workboot with a protective material wrapped around the heel of the
boot and integrated therein.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Historically, heel protection devices have been developed to
maintain the appearance of shoes against damage or scuffing (e.g.,
a person driving a vehicle for a living) or to assist patients
after foot surgery with protecting the heel against strike or
reducing weight bearing from the heel of the foot.
[0005] In this regard, the devices that have been developed to
maintain the appearance of shoes have primarily comprised a wrap
around band of material that is removably applied to a shoe while
driving. Other devices include a U-shaped frame that removably
supports the heel of a shoe. All of these devices generally include
a removable piece of material that is not integrated into the shoe,
wherein the material is not configured to continually support the
heel of a foot.
[0006] Other devices that have been developed to protect the heel
of a foot after surgery generally include post-operative surgical
shoes with tapered wedges that distribute weight away from the heel
of the foot. These shoes are designed for temporary use and are not
constructed to withstand being used on a daily basis over a
prolonged period of time. Therefore, the heel protection devices
included in these surgical shoes are often not well-integrated into
the layers of the sole's of the shoes and provide only minimal
protection against heel strike.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a heel protection device that
withstands prolonged use and provides significant support for the
heel of the foot by integrating the support into the other layers
of the shoe or boot (e.g., the insole, etc.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe
heel protector including a middle portion, a first side portion and
a second side portion. The semi-rigid middle portion substantially
covers a rear heel portion of a shoe and is permanently attached to
the shoe. The first side portion is integrally formed with the
middle portion, and the first side portion partially covers a first
side of the shoe. The second side portion is integrally formed with
the middle portion, and the second side portion partially covers a
second side of the shoe.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a shoe heel protector including a middle portion, a first side
portion and a second side portion. The semi-rigid middle portion
substantially covers a rear heel portion of a shoe and is
permanently attached to the shoe along a bottom edge of the middle
portion. The first side portion is integrally formed with the
middle portion and includes at least one aperture formed therein.
The first side portion partially covers a first side of the shoe.
The second side portion is integrally formed with the middle
portion and includes at least one aperture formed therein. The
second side portion partially covers a second side of the shoe. The
aperture formed in the first side portion and the formed in the
second side portion each align with a corresponding eyelet on the
front of the shoe.
[0010] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a shoe heel protector including a semi-rigid middle
portion, wherein the middle portion substantially covers a rear
heel portion of a shoe and a bottom edge of the middle portion is
secured to a welt in the shoe. A first side portion is integrally
formed with the middle portion, and the first side portion
partially covers a first side of the shoe. The second side portion
is integrally formed with the middle portion, and the second side
portion partially covers a second side of the shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A clear understanding of the various advantages and features
of the present invention, as well as the construction and operation
of conventional components and mechanisms associated with the
present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring
to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments
illustrated in the following drawings which accompany and form a
part of this patent specification.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a workboot with a heel
protection device according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the heel protection device and
the workboot according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a workboot with a
heel protection device according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a planar view of the heel protection device
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 1
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 1
with laces in the workboot according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 1
without laces in the workboot according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 3
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 1
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a workboot 10 includes a semi-rigid
symmetrical heel protector 12 that wraps around a top assembly 14
of boot 10. Protector 12 is integrated into the other material
layers that comprise boot 10.
[0022] In addition to top assembly 14, boot 10 further includes a
boot shell 16, a sole assembly 18, and a lace assembly 20. Lace
assembly 20 includes conventional lace eyelets 22, a boot lace 24,
and a boot tongue 26. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, boot shell (upper) 16 and top assembly 14 are
constructed with high-quality leather, and in order to reduce
manufacturing costs, protector 12 forms part of shell 16 because
leather is not placed underneath protector 12. Alternatively,
protector 12 is placed over the leather of shell 16 and secured
with standard techniques well-known by one of ordinary skill in the
art (e.g., adhesive bonding, stitching, etc.).
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, protector 12 is stitched into
sole assembly 18 along line 28. Protector 12 includes a first pair
of apertures 30 and a second pair of apertures 32. Apertures 30, 32
align with eyelets 22 of boot 10 and are held in place by lace 24.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, protector 12
is constructed from a semi-rigid material that includes a bottom
portion 34, a middle portion 36 and a top portion 38. A series of
ridges 40 are integrally formed with middle portion 36.
[0024] Turning to FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a bottom edge 42 along protector 12 is secured
in place by stitching or stapling through edge 42 to secure
protector 12 to all of the additional layers of material that
comprise boot 10.
[0025] For example, a series of stitches or staples 44 secure edge
42 of protector 12 to at least boot shell 16. Stitches 44 may
additionally secure edge 42 to other layers of boot 10 comprising
sole assembly 18, including an insole 46 and a midsole 48.
Welted Construction
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 3, boot 10 is preferably manufactured
with a welted sole. A welted sole is constructed by stitching a
piece of leather to the shoe upper lining and insole. This allows a
foot to flex and permits the shoe to be resoled.
[0027] In the late Nineteenth century, a process for constructing
footwear was developed by Charles Goodyear. "Goodyear welting" is a
method of welting that is well-known by one of ordinary skill in
the art and includes stitching on the bottom of the sole.
[0028] Goodyear welting is generally a long and expensive process
whereby sole of boot 10 is stitched to a strip of leather (a
"welt") which in turn is stitched to the upper part of the shoe and
the inner sole. This process ensures strength, resistance to the
elements, flexibility and comfort.
[0029] As illustrated in the figures, the final boot 10 that is
welted includes the outsole, the midsole, the upper and the insole
all stitched together through a leather welt.
[0030] The general process of welting includes the following
steps:
[0031] 1. The leather insole is trimmed to meet the requirements of
the shoe being constructed.
[0032] 2. A channel is hand carved on the insole for the stitch to
travel through.
[0033] 3. The upper of the shoe or boot is "pulled over" and tacked
down in place in preparation for welting.
[0034] 4. Using an Awl, a channel is punched through the insole,
the upper and the welt to allow for the stitch to be threaded.
[0035] 5. Using a curved needle, the stitch is pulled through and
locked.
[0036] 6. Steps 4 and 5 are repeated until the entire shoe or boot
is stitched.
[0037] At this point, there are different additional steps that may
be applied. A fine light dress shoe would have a light sole bonded
to the welt and a leather or cork filler and then sewn to the welt.
Alternatively, a midsole will be bonded to the welt and filler and
then sewn to the welt. Thereafter, an outsole can be either bonded
to the midsole without stitching or can be stitched to the welt as
well. The style of footwear chosen will dictate which technique is
applied.
General Manufacturing of Footwear
[0038] There are typically four main departments connected with
manufacturing within a footwear company and the components follow a
progressive route through each of these departments to produce the
finished shoes. The departments including: Clicking, Closing,
Lasting/Making, Finishing/Shoe Room.
[0039] CLICKING/CUTTING: In this department, upper 14 of shoe 10 is
manufactured. The clicking operative is issued with a number of
skins of leather, mostly from cows, although leather can be made
from almost all animal skins and with the use of metal strip
knives, various shaped pieces are cut out that will eventually make
up the upper. Leather will have varying amounts of flaws on the
surface such as barbed wire scratches and these flaws need to be
avoided, so that they are not used for the upper pieces.
[0040] CLOSING/MACHINING: In this department, the component pieces
of shoe 10 are sewn together by highly skilled machinists to
produce the completed upper. In the early stages, the pieces are
sewn together on what are called flat machines. In the latter
stages, the upper becomes three-dimensional and the machine used is
called a post machine. This is where the sewing surface of the
machine is elevated on a post to enable the operative to sew the
three dimensional upper. Various edge treatments to the leather are
also completed to produce a more attractive look to the finished
upper. The eyelets are also inserted at this stage to accommodate
the laces in the finished shoes.
[0041] LASTING/MAKING: The completed uppers are now molded into a
foot shape using a last. A last is typically a plastic shape that
simulates the foot shape which, when removed from the finished
shoe, can be used continually to produce more shoes. The first
operation is to attach the insole to the bottom of the last, but
this is only a temporary attachment to allow the last to be removed
at the end of the process.
[0042] In a Goodyear welted shoe, the insole has a rib attached to
its under edge. The upper is stretched and molded over the last and
attached to the insole rib. When this is completed, the product is
now a "lasted shoe".
[0043] The strip of leather (or alternatively plastic)--the
welt--is sewn onto the shoe through the rib and upper and all the
surplus material is trimmed off the seam. The sole is then attached
to the welt and the two are stitched together. Thereafter, the heel
is attached which completes the "making" of boot 10.
[0044] FINISHING/SHOEROOM: At this stage, it depends on which
materials have been used for the welt and sole to determine how it
will be finished. In the case of a leather welt, the sole edge and
heel are trimmed and buffed to give them a smooth finish. They are
then stained, polished and waxed to give them an attractive finish
and to ensure the edge is waterproof. The bottom of the sole is
often lightly buffed, stained and polished and various types of
patterns are marked on the surface to give it a craft finished
look. Now boot 10 is "finished" and the uppers are shoeroomed.
[0045] In general, an internal sock is fitted into shoe which can
be full, half or quarter and these will usually have the
manufacturers' details or a brand name if applicable. Again,
depending on the materials used for the uppers, boot 10 is cleaned,
polished and sprayed, plus laces and tags are attached (such as
shoe care instructions).
[0046] Boots 10 then go on to be boxed and packaged ready for
dispatching to the customer.
[0047] In welted boot 10, FIG. 4 illustrated a plan view of support
12 including upper portion 38, middle portion 36 and bottom portion
34. Aligned with the heel, semi-rigid upper portion 38 forms a
convex portion 46 to fully support the heel. Apertures 30 and 32
further secure support 12 to upper assembly 14.
[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, protector 12 is further secured
to boot 10 with lace 22 inserted through eyelet 22 and aperture 30.
When lace 22 is not pulled through eyelet 22 and aperture 30 (FIG.
7), protector 12 is not held adjacent to boot shell 16.
[0049] FIGS. 8-9 further illustrate the welted construction
described above in relation to boot 10. In particular, a welt 50
that is approximately 60 cm long, 2 cm wide and 3 mm thick is
stitched to insole 46 and midsole 48 using a first stitch 52, and
welt 50 is also stitched to an outsole 54 using a second stitch 56.
A filler layer 58 manufactured from polyurethane or EVA foam is
cemented to outsole 56. Outsole 56 is manufactured from a carbon
rubber compound.
[0050] The scope of the application is not to be limited by the
description of the preferred embodiments described above, but is to
be limited solely by the scope of the claims that follow. For
example, instead of boot 10 being manufactured as a welted boot,
boot 10 may be constructed primarily by cementing or stapling the
portions of sole assembly 18 together without the use of a welt or
boot 10 may be constructed primarily by cementing or stapling
portions of the sole assembly directing to the welt (without
stitching the sole to the welt) without departing from the scope of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
* * * * *