HIGH HEEL SHOES WITH INTEGRATED CUSHIONING
Various embodiments described herein relate to a shoe that utilizes cushioning. The cushioning can be a variety of materials, including polymers such as SEBS. The cushioning can be positioned in various locations of the shoe, including the counter, the insole, and the outsole. Additionally or alternatively, the cushioning can also be located in recesses to enhance the functionality of the cushioning.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/086,118 filed Dec. 1, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.
FIELDThe disclosed embodiments concern high heel shoes with supportive cushioning integrated into the footwear.
BACKGROUNDHigh heel shoes, also called high-heeled footwear or high heels, are footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. High heels are ubiquitous in everyday life and used whether as part of business dress or as a fashion statement. However, because high heels increase the angle of the heel to the foot much higher than is natural, wearers of heels suffer from unnatural walking strides, stresses to the musculoskeletal system, pain, blisters, and other related conditions.
A cottage industry exists to ease the wearing of heels, such as the insertable orthotics. These orthotics can be slips that fit into the entire portion of the shoe, or can be inserted into certain areas to provide support in particular areas. The orthotics cushion the stress areas and reduce pain and the likelihood of blisters.
The orthotics are often formed of fabrics, foam, gel or another polymer. These orthotics provide insufficient weight support and slip around the shoe.
Fabric and foam cushioning are easy and cheap to manufacture and use, but provide suboptimal support for the user because they provide little shock support. These variety of orthotics also degrade easily, thereby requiring users to regularly purchase replacements. Additionally, such orthotics generally provide insufficient traction for the user and allow for slippage.
Gel orthotics do not provide sufficient shock absorption because of the nature of the material and the form and shape in which they are currently produced; gel orthotics are usually flat or otherwise formed such that the gel does not bounce back well. Both gel and foam orthotics also dampen the energy the user puts into his or her stride, thereby requiring more energy from the wearer to walk and causing the wearer's muscles to tire more readily. These orthotics also easily slip around inside the shoe and against the user's foot.
Polymer orthotics also suffer from problems similar to those described above.
Moreover, because orthotic inserts generally mold to the user's foot, they provide limited support that degrades over time because the material does not bounce back against pressure points. Additionally, because most orthotics are not attached to the shoe, or are attached to the shoe by means of a weak adhesive, orthotics readily slip around the shoe while the wearer is using them. Though a variety of orthotics uses a small loop attached to the user's toes to stay secure, these are problematic because they are uncomfortable to wear and are not securely attached. Orthotics that are attached to the shoe by means of an adhesive are susceptible to the problem that a strong or long-lasting adhesive damages the shoe.
SummaryThe disclosed embodiments concern high heel shoes, especially platform shoes, with incorporated supportive cushioning.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the placement of the technology illustrated in the various figures discussed below may be altered in a variety of ways.
Various example embodiments will now be described. The following description provides certain specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant technology will understand, however, that some of the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without many of these details.
Likewise, one skilled in the relevant technology will also understand that some of the embodiments may include many other obvious features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant descriptions of the various examples.
The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the embodiments. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.
Cushioning MaterialThe cushioning can be composed of various polymers, including Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (“SEBS”), which is a form of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with styrene added. SEBS is safe and non-toxic, and has been used as a PVC substitute. SEBS has been used for toys, sports mouth guards, teethers, and handlebar grips. SEBS has a chemical resistance similar to natural rubber. A benefit of SEBS is that it provides superior weight resistance and resiliency to being deformed, particularly over existing materials used for cushioning such as foam. Additionally, SEBS provides traction that can keep a user's foot in place, which prevents slipping, crushing of the user's foot, and blisters. The traction that SEBS provides is superior to those of current orthotics. One brand name of SEBS is Kraton. Another polymer includes rubber. Other polymers include Polyurethane (“PU”), Silicone, and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (“EVA”).
Manner of Incorporating CushioningThere are numerous ways of incorporating the cushioning technology. In some embodiments, the cushioning can be manufactured as part of the high heel shoe's body. In some embodiments, the cushioning can also be manufactured separately from the high heel shoe's body, but fixedly attached onto the shoe by methods including an adhesive, sewing, or binding of the materials including by chemical reaction or the application of temperature. In some embodiments, if the cushioning is fixedly attached onto the high heel shoe, the body of the shoe has recesses into which the cushioning is placed. Recesses facilitate the placement, security, and the visibility or invisibility of the cushioning. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that one cushioning can be fixedly attached within a recess and positioned in any of the locations described below, while other cushioning can be fixedly attached to one or more of the interior lining, the counter, the insole, or the outsole, and positioned in any of the locations described below.
The cushioning can be fixedly attached on top of the inner surface of the high heel shoe such that they are visible to the user. The cushioning can also be fixedly attached below the inner surface of the high heel shoe such that they are not visible to the user.
Embodiments of CushioningThe disclosures provide various embodiments for the cushioning. The cushioning can be located at certain portions of the high heel shoes, as shown in
Those skilled in the art can appreciate the terminology generally describing certain areas of high heel shoes. In
The size and dimensions of the cushioning can vary according to the size of the high heel shoes and the preferences of the consumer and/or manufacturer.
Cushioning piece 104 in some embodiments can be located at the front sides of the high heel shoes. Cushioning piece 104 can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In various embodiments, as shown in
Cushioning piece 102 in some embodiments can be located beneath the ball of the foot. Cushioning piece 102 can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In various embodiments, as shown in
Cushioning piece 103 in some embodiments can be located to the rear of the foot. Cushioning piece 103 can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In various embodiments, as shown in
Cushioning piece 101 in some embodiments can be located on the outsole beneath the ball of the foot. Cushioning piece 101 can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In various embodiments, as shown in
In
In
As disclosed above, the cushioning pieces can be attached to these recesses in a variety of ways, so long as they attach the cushioning to the recess. Some embodiments attach the cushioning by an adhesive, sewing, nailing, stapling, chemical reaction, application of temperature, and/or any combination of these methods.
The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are prescribed to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
The foregoing description of various embodiments of the claimed subject matter has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best describe the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the relevant art to understand the claimed subject matter, the various embodiments, and the various modifications that are suited to the particular uses contemplated.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed above, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation mars. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. For example, one will recognize that “cushioning” is one form of “orthotics”, “shoes” is one form of “footwear”, “platform shoes” are one form of “high heels”, and that such terms may on occasion be used interchangeably.
Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any term discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified terms. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given above. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary sill in the art to which this disclosure pertain. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.
Although the above Detailed Description describes certain embodiments and the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the embodiments can be practiced in many ways. Details of the systems and methods may vary considerably in their implementation details, while still being encompassed by the specification. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of various embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless those terms are explicitly defined herein. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the embodiments under the claims.
The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this Detailed Description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of various embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A shoe comprising:
- a shoe heel configured to elevate the heel of a user's foot;
- an exterior surface;
- an interior lining opposite the exterior surface that is in contact with the user's foot;
- a counter within which the user's heel rests;
- a platform upon which the user's toes rest;
- a toe box within which the user's toes rest;
- an outsole opposite the insole configured to contact the ground; and
- an insole configured to support a sole of the user's foot, the insole including a recess defining an open space, wherein the recess is located substantially between the user's arch and toes; and a cushioning pad configured to be soft, resilient, and having a nonslip surface, wherein the cushioning pad is located within the recess.
2. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising:
- a second cushioning pad that is fixedly attached to the counter and is located substantially between the user's Achilles tendon and the counter.
3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface is composed of a weather-resistant material.
4. The shoe of claim 3, wherein said weather-resistant material is leather.
5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cushioning pad is composed of a polymer.
6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the polymer is Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cushioning pad is thermally bound to the insole.
8. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cushioning pad is sewn to the insole.
9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cushioning pad is bonded to the insole using an adhesive.
10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the insole includes a cover that is positioned over the recess and cushioning, and which provides traction for the user's foot.
11. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe heel raises the heel of a user's foot between one and ten inches.
12. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the platform raises the height of the user between half an inch and ten inches.
13. A method for constructing a high heel shoe, comprising:
- providing a high heel shoe;
- positioning a recess on the insole, wherein the recess is located substantially between the user's arch and toes; and
- providing a cushioning pad configured to be soft, resilient, and having a nonslip surface, wherein the cushioning pad is located within the recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 1, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2016
Inventor: Bing CAI (Berwyn, PA)
Application Number: 14/956,333