HEM PROTECTOR FOR OPEN HEEL SHOE
A hem protector for preventing hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of a foot and an insole of an open heel shoe, is formed of a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end. An opening is provided through the first end of the elongate body through which a heel of the shoe may extend to fix the first end of the elongate body to the shoe. The second end of the elongate body is configured for capturing a portion of an ankle strap of the open heel shoe. In this regard, a first portion of the second end of the elongate body is folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to either a second portion of the second end of the elongate body or to the heel of the shoe.
The present invention relates to garment accessories, namely, a hem and/or cuff protector that prevents hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of an open heel shoe.
One style of women's shoes is called a “slingback”; typically a high-heel shoe with no back heel support or open-heeled, but instead, a strap that wraps across the back of the heel in a horizontal position just below the ankle. The slingback style of shoe accounts for approximately fifty percent of the women's shoe market in North America.
In open heel shoes one can experience the problem of the hem or cuff slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe. In closed heeled shoes this problem is avoided by the closed heel material. When wearing open heel shoes, such slipping action subjects the hem or cuff to excessive wear or fraying through repeated slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe. This also causes discomfort to the wearer while walking or standing on a thick or hard hem or cuff. Such slippage of the hem or cuff may also cause trip or fall accidents and can also take away from the desired aesthetic effect of the open heel shoe with the particular skirt or pants.
Professional women who wear slacks/pants or other clothing with a cuff/hem near the heel, are forced to wear non-slingback shoes in such instances, minimizing their fashion options every day they go to work (i.e., fifty percent of the shoes in their closet can't be worn). If slingback shoes are worn, pants will typically get caught under the heel when walking, causing discomfort, potential damage to fabric and a lack of aesthetic appeal. Women sometimes refer to this as a “heel wedgie”, where the fabric gets caught under the heel while walking.
A number of prior art devices address similar problems by providing a protector having a central body of flexible material that conforms to and covers the rear portion of the shoe upper. The central body is held in place by one or more lower loops that fit around the heel of the shoe and an open upper strap that can be wrapped around the ankle and fastened to the opposite side of the central body. Examples include Swiss Patent No. 675,193 and French Patent No. 2,642,278, both of which are primarily concerned with protecting the heel of high heeled shoes from wear that occurs when driving an automobile or engaging in similar activity.
Another prior art example includes U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0060230 for a cuff protector for a “mule” shoe that comprises an upper loop to be releasably worn about the user's ankle and a lower loop for releasable attachment to the heel of the user's footwear. While this prior art device is intended to prevent a hem or cuff from slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe, such suffers from the same drawbacks as other prior devices, in that it is looped around the ankle of a user. Attaching such a device to the ankle of a user and the heel of a shoe presents additional hazards for trip or fall accidents where the device may get hooked on or otherwise separate from the heel of the shoe and cause pulling or tugging on the ankle of a user.
Accordingly, there is a need for a hem protector for an open heeled shoe that prevents the hem or cuff from slipping between the heel of the foot and the rear of the shoe while not being secured to the ankle of the user. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a hem protector for preventing hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of a foot and an insole of an open heel shoe. The hem protector of the present invention comprises (1) a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end, (2) an opening through the first end of the elongate body through which a heel of the shoe may extend to fix the first end of the elongate body to the shoe, and (3) means associated with the second end of the elongate body, for capturing a portion of an ankle strap of the open heel shoe.
The elongate body comprises a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to complement a color or decorative pattern of the shoe. The elongate body may comprise a non-slip elastic material which is clear, transparent or translucent, preferably a neoprene, rubber or silicone material.
The capturing means comprises a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to either a second portion of the second end of the elongate body or to the heel of the shoe.
In several preferred embodiments, the second end of the elongate body comprises a loop through which the first end of the elongate body may be inserted. The opening through the first end of the elongate body and/or the loop may include a pinch having a width slightly narrower than the width of the elongate body. Moreover, the opening through the first end of the elongate body and/or the loop may have a figure eight shape. The capturing means comprises a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to the heel of the shoe.
In other embodiments the capturing means includes means for securing the first portion of the second end of the elongate body. Here, the securing means may comprise mating fasteners in the form of hook and loop tape, snaps, a button and a buttonhole, or magnets.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention comprises a hem protector for an open heel shoe, referred to generally by reference number 20.
As illustrated in
The hem protector 20 is preferably made from a clear, transparent or translucent, soft, non-slip elastic material, preferably neoprene or silicone. The hem protector 20 is wide enough to prevent slippage of a hem/cuff as described, and has enough give to allow natural foot movement when walking, climbing stairs, dancing or moving in general. As illustrated in
The second end 26 is configured to engage the ankle strap 36. As shown in
In
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A hem protector for preventing hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of a foot and an insole of an open heel shoe, the hem protector comprising:
- a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end;
- an opening through the first end of the elongate body through which a heel of the shoe may extend to fix the first end of the elongate body to the shoe; and
- means associated with the second end of the elongate body, for capturing a portion of an ankle strap of the open heel shoe.
2. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to match a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.
3. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a non-slip elastic material.
4. The hem protector of claim 3, wherein the non-slip elastic material comprises neoprene or silicone or rubber.
5. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the opening through the first end of the elongate body includes a pinch having a width slightly narrower than the width of the elongate body.
6. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the capturing means releasably secures the second end of the elongate body to the ankle strap.
7. The hem protector of claim 6, wherein the second end of the elongate body comprises a loop through which the first end of the elongate body may be inserted to capture the ankle strap.
8. The hem protector of claim 7, wherein the loop or first end of the elongate body has a figure eight shape.
9. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the capturing means comprises a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to a second portion of the second end of the elongate body.
10. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the capturing means includes means for securing the first portion of the second end of the elongate body to the second portion of the second end of the elongate body.
11. The hem protector of claim 10, wherein the securing means comprises mating fasteners.
12. The hem protector of claim 11, wherein the mating fasteners comprise hook and loop tape, snaps, a button and a buttonhole, or magnets.
13. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the capturing means comprises a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to the heel of the shoe.
14. A hem protector for preventing hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of a foot and an insole of an open heel shoe, the hem protector comprising:
- a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end;
- an opening through the first end of the elongate body through which a heel of the shoe may extend to fix the first end of the elongate body to the shoe; and
- means associated with the second end of the elongate body, for capturing a portion of an ankle strap of the open heel shoe, the capturing means releasably securing the second end of the elongate body to the ankle strap and comprising a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to either a second portion of the second end of the elongate body or to the heel of the shoe.
15. The hem protector of claim 14, wherein the elongate body comprises a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to complement a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.
16. The hem protector of claim 15, wherein the elongate body comprises a non-slip neoprene or silicone or rubber material.
17. The hem protector of claim 14, wherein the second end of the elongate body comprises a loop through which the first end of the elongate body may be inserted.
18. The hem protector of claim 17, wherein the opening through the first end of the elongate body and/or the loop includes a pinch having a width slightly narrower than the width of the elongate body.
19. The hem protector of claim 17, wherein the opening through the first end of the elongate body and/or the loop has a figure eight shape.
20. The hem protector of claim 14, wherein the capturing means includes means for securing the first portion of the second end of the elongate body to the second portion of the second end of the elongate body.
21. The hem protector of claim 20, wherein the securing means comprises mating fasteners in the form of hook and loop tape, snaps, a button and a buttonhole, or magnets.
22. The hem protector of claim 14, wherein the capturing means comprises a first portion of the second end of the elongate body folded over the ankle strap and secured in place to the heel of the shoe.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 27, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 1, 2013
Inventor: Kelley Simons (London)
Application Number: 13/534,588
International Classification: A41F 17/00 (20060101);