High-Heel Shoe Insert

Abstract

Provided are, among other things, shoe inserts and methods for using them to soften the abrupt change in slope exhibited in the insole of certain shoes. One such shoe insert includes: a bottom surface having a front portion, a rear portion that is angled upwardly relative to the front portion of the bottom surface at a first angle, and a central portion having a maximum mean rate of angular increase where the first angle increases at least 30° over a shortest distance measured from the front portion of the bottom surface to the rear portion of the bottom surface; and a top surface having a front edge and a rear edge, where each position from the front edge of the top surface to the rear edge of the top surface has a second rate of angular increase that is less than ½ the maximum mean rate of angular increase exhibited in the central portion of the bottom surface.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/644,811, filed on May 9, 2012, and titled “Insert to Modify the Sole of a High Heeled Shoe”, which application is incorporated by reference herein as though set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to inserts for shaping, cushioning and/or support that are placed inside of shoes, especially high-heeled shoes, and also pertains to shoes having such inserts and techniques for using such inserts.

BACKGROUND

It is commonly recognized that certain shoes, especially high-heeled shoes, while aesthetically attractive, often cause the wearer a significant amount of discomfort. Conventional attempts to address this problem include pads that are placed in the shoe's toe box to cushion the ball of the foot and arch supports. However, the present inventor has discovered that none of these conventional approaches adequately improves comfort, and in some cases, they actually result in additional discomfort in some respect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was born out of the present inventor's discovery that a significant amount of discomfort is caused by shoe designs that result in an undue amount of the wearer's body weight being concentrated onto a small area on the ball of the foot. In order to address this problem, the preferred embodiments of the present invention involve a flexible and/or resilient insert that flattens or smoothes out the change in slope of the shoe's sole between the ball of the foot and the arch, providing a more gradual change in slope, by extending the change in slope over a longer distance.

Thus, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a shoe insert that includes: a bottom surface having a front portion, a rear portion that is angled upwardly relative to the front portion of the bottom surface at a first angle, and a central portion having a maximum mean rate of angular increase where the first angle increases at least 30° over a shortest distance measured from the front portion of the bottom surface to the rear portion of the bottom surface; and a top surface having a front edge and a rear edge, where each position from the front edge of the top surface to the rear edge of the top surface has a second rate of angular increase that is less than ½ the maximum mean rate of angular increase exhibited in the central portion of the bottom surface.

The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief description of certain aspects of the invention. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the claims and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following disclosure, the invention is described with reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings merely depict certain representative and/or exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The following is a brief description of each of the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a shoe having an insert placed onto its insole according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the insole of a shoe, with an insert according to the present invention placed onto it.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insole of a shoe, with an insert according to the present invention placed onto it.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an insert according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a shoe insert.

FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of an insert according to a second representative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a variation on this second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the shoe insert according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a shoe having an insert according to the second embodiment placed onto its insole.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the insole of a shoe, with an insert according to the second embodiment placed onto it.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the insole of a shoe, with an insert according to the second embodiment placed onto it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe 5 with an insert 10 according to the present invention placed within it. Shoe 5 is a woman's shoe, having a heel that is at least two, three or four inches high. Generally speaking, inserts according to the present invention primarily are intended to be used within women's shoes having such high heels.

As shown, e.g., in FIGS. 1-3, when placed within a shoe 5, insert 10 (or at least the main operative portion of it) is disposed between the ball (or metatarsal region) and the arch of the wearer's foot, preferably beginning at a point just outside the central point of the ball of the foot (or where the foot enters the toe box) and extending to the beginning of the arch (or to approximately ⅓ of the distance to the high point of the arch. As discussed in greater detail below, the insert 10 functions to eliminate or significantly reduce the abrupt change in angular inclination that many such shoes exhibit.

Insert 10 and each of the other inserts discussed below preferably is made of a material that is firm but provides moderate cushioning to the foot, e.g., by being just slightly compressible. Examples include any of various composite materials, a silicone or other type of gelatinous material, a natural or synthetic rubber (in some embodiments, foamed for additional cushioning), or any other plastic or polymer. More preferably, each such insert is predominantly made of a flexible and/or resilient material, such as a soft gel, e.g., for providing additional comfort and for allowing the insert to better shape itself to different sizes and styles of shoes. The amount of firmness preferably is selected as a trade-off between cushioning and ability for the insert to mold itself to the shape of the shoe, on the one hand, and support, on the other.

The bottom surface 20 of insert 10 (shown in FIG. 4, i.e., the surface that comes into contact with the shoe's insole 12) preferably is partially (e.g., in a number of discrete spots) or fully coated with: (1) a separate adhesive material (e.g., a light or temporary adhesive material or tacky substance, for embodiments in which it is desirable to be able to remove and replace the insert) or (2) a friction-enhancing material, in order to help maintain the insert in its desired position.

Preferably, an insert according to the present invention (e.g., insert 10) either does not significantly extend underneath the ball of the wearer's foot (i.e., the metatarsal region) or underneath the arch of the wearer's foot, or is very thin within either or both of those regions (e.g., does not provide any significant amount of cushioning). As a result, an insert according to the present invention often can be used in high-fashion shoes that were purchased to fit well.

Insert 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 in the position that it normally would be placed on the insole 12 of a shoe 5, and insert 10 is shown separately in FIGS. 4 and 5. As best shown in FIG. 1, insert 10 preferably is placed onto the shoe's insole 12 roughly centered (or at least the operative portion of insert 10 preferably is roughly centered) at the position where the shoe's sole 14 changes from approximately horizontal to a significant upward slope. More specifically, the thickest portion 32 of insert 10 is located where the slope of the insole 12 of the shoe 5 changes most abruptly. As a result of this placement, insert 10 essentially replaces the rapid or even instantaneous change in the slope of insole 12 with a more gradual change in slope. In order to achieve this benefit, the bottom surface 20 of insert 10 preferably has a shape that at least approximately matches the shape of the insole 12 (sometimes including a corresponding abrupt change in slope) while the top surface 25 has a smoother, more gradually (if at all) varying surface that presents a more gradual (if at all) change in slope.

For this purpose, bottom surface 20 preferably has a small region 22, e.g., less than 1-3 cm (centimeters) in length, when measured along the bottom surface 20 from the front end 27 to the rear end 28 where the slope changes most quickly, e.g., where it changes at least 30-40° over the shortest length or distance. As a result of that relatively abrupt change, both region 22 and the entire bottom surface 20 have an approximately L-shaped appearance. By contrast, the entire top surface 25 preferably has a rate of angular increase (e.g., at each position) that is less than ½, ⅓, ¼ or even ⅛ the maximum (or maximum mean) rate of angular increase of the bottom surface 20 and that is substantially less than the mean rate of angular increase within region 22 of bottom surface 20. In certain embodiments, top surface 25 has a smooth slightly or somewhat concave appearance. However, in alternate embodiments top surface 25 is entirely or substantially flat.

The thickness of insert 10 preferably increases from zero (or negligible) at the front end 27 and the rear end 28 to reach a maximum thickness 32, e.g., of approximately 0.15-0.35 inch (with a thickness of approximately 0.25 inch in one representative embodiment), in the middle. However, in alternate embodiments, the maximum thickness 32 can be as much as 0.35-0.70 inch. The entire length 30 of insert 10 preferably is 1.0-2.5 inches and, in any event, preferably does not extend to the metatarsal region (in the front) or to the arch (in the rear), but instead is just long enough to smooth out the abrupt angular change in the shoe's sole 14.

An alternate embodiment is insert 50 which is illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. Insert 50 is identical to insert 10 (e.g., same general shape, bottom region 22 with abrupt slope change, and maximum thickness), except that insert 50 has a longer and thinner portion 54 at its front end 57 that extends into the toe box of shoe 5 and a longer and thinner portion 55 at its rear end 58 that extends into the arch region of shoe 5. For instance, the overall length 52 of insert 50 preferably is 1.7-3.7 inches and, more preferably, approximately 2.7 inches.

Each of front portion 54 and rear portion 55 preferably is less than 0.25-2.0 mm (millimeters) thick (e.g., either maximum or on average), so as to not interfere with the wearer's comfort. At the same time, the additional surface area provided by these extension portions 54 and 55 often can provide greater gripping ability, particularly when fully or partially coated with a light adhesive or a friction-enhancing material. In addition, the additional length can allow for an even more gradual change in slope. As shown, front extension portion 54 preferably is longer and thinner than rear extension portion 55.

In the preferred embodiments, the maximum thickness of an insert (e.g., 10 or 50) according to the present invention occurs at the point that is to be positioned where the shoe sole 14 initiates its upward slant to the heel, i.e., the point where the sole 14 of the shoe 5 transitions from horizontal to an upward curve, between the ball of the foot and the arch of the foot. The result is to diminish the localized stress caused by the concentration of the wearer's weight on one part of the ball of the foot and thereby reduce foot pain. At the same time, an insert according to the present invention preferably either does not significantly enter the toe box or the arch portion of the shoe 5, or is very thin in those regions, thereby lessening crowding of the toes and the forefoot and permitting its use in high-fashion shoes that were originally purchased to fit well. As noted above, an insert according to the present invention preferably also has an adhesive, or at least non-slip, bottom surface for fixed placement within a shoe.

As noted above, one aspect of insert according to the present invention is a bottom surface having a slope that changes relatively abruptly, e.g., at least 30-40° over a relatively short distance, in order to at least approximately match the slope change of the shoe into which it is to be inserted. The top surface of the insert spreads this slope change over a longer distance (e.g., at least 3-10 times as long a distance), so as to smooth it out, resulting in greater comfort for the wearer. In order to accomplish this goal, an insert according to the present invention is thicker in the middle and thinner at the outer edges.

In the preceding embodiments, the insert (10 or 50) has a somewhat concave top surface (e.g., surface 25). Such as surface can provide additional comfort and can also function to control the change in slope. However, an insert 50B (shown in FIG. 6B) has an entirely or substantially flat top surface 25B, which sometimes can be less expensive to manufacture. In addition, when the overall insert is softer and/or more compressible, a surface 25B that is flat or substantially flat when not in use typically will deform into a concave shape when the wearer's weight is applied to it. Similarly, the bottom surface 20 also typically will deform when in use, so as to better match the shape of the insole 12. For this reason, it generally is not necessary for bottom surface 20 to have a change in slope that is as abrupt as that of insole 12. In certain embodiments, the abruptness of the change in slope of region 22 of bottom surface 20 approximately corresponds to the minimum expected abruptness for the shoes with which it is to be used, and deformation of the insert then causes the bottom surface 20 to match insole 12.

In use, the insert (e.g., 10 or 50) is placed into the shoe 5 so that the thicker portion of the insert and, more specifically, the portion of the bottom surface of the insert that has in most rapidly changing slope abuts the portion of the shoe's insole 12 that exhibits the most rapid change in slope. The insert can then be pressed onto the shoe's insole 12 to ensure that all of its bottom surface is in contact with the insole 12. When desired, the insert preferably can then be simply lifted out of the shoe 5. In other words, an insert according to the present invention preferably is readily removable and replaceable.

In certain embodiments of the invention, multiple different shapes of inserts (10 or 50) are made available to accommodate different shoe styles, e.g., with the different inserts having different bottom surfaces, different widths, etc. However, as also noted above, by forming an insert according to the present invention from a compliant material, it is possible for a single insert to accommodate a variety of different shoe styles.

An insert (e.g., insert 10 or 50) according to the present invention can be made of a single uniform material. Alternatively, it can have a softer, more compressible outer layer and a more rigid, shape-retaining core, thereby providing a combination of support, comfort and adaptability.

Additional Considerations.

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosure explicitly set forth herein or in the attached drawings, on the one hand, and any materials incorporated by reference herein, on the other, the present disclosure shall take precedence. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosures of any applications or patents incorporated by reference herein, the more recently filed disclosure shall take precedence.

Several different embodiments of the present invention are described above, with each such embodiment described as including certain features. However, it is intended that the features described in connection with the discussion of any single embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes is ascribed to a particular module or component. However, functionality generally may be redistributed as desired among any different modules or components, in some cases completely obviating the need for a particular component or module and/or requiring the addition of new components or modules. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is made according to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and accompanying drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A shoe insert comprising:

a bottom surface having a front portion, a rear portion that is angled upwardly relative to the front portion of the bottom surface at a first angle, and a central portion having a maximum mean rate of angular increase where the first angle increases at least 30° over a shortest distance measured from the front portion of the bottom surface to the rear portion of the bottom surface; and

a top surface having a front edge and a rear edge,

wherein each position from the front edge of the top surface to the rear edge of the top surface has a second rate of angular increase that is less than ½ the maximum mean rate of angular increase exhibited in the central portion of the bottom surface.

2. A shoe insert according to claim 1, further comprising a separate adhesive material disposed on the bottom surface.

3. A shoe insert according to claim 1, further comprising a separate friction-enhancing material disposed on the bottom surface.

4. A shoe insert according to claim 1, comprised primarily of a material that is at least one of flexible or resilient.

5. A shoe insert according to claim 1, comprised primarily of a material that is just slightly compressible.

6. A shoe insert according to claim 1, having an overall length of between 2-6 cm (centimeters) when measured horizontally with the front portion of the bottom surface flush with a horizontal plane.

7. A shoe insert according to claim 1, having a middle portion with a length of between 2-6 cm (centimeters) when measured horizontally with the front portion of the bottom surface flush with a horizontal plane, and wherein outside the middle portion the shoe insert tapers to a thickness of not greater than 2 mm (millimeters).

8. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein each position from the front edge of the top surface to the rear edge of the top surface has a second rate of angular increase that is less than ¼ the maximum mean rate of angular increase exhibited in the central portion of the bottom surface.

9. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein each position from the front edge of the top surface to the rear edge of the top surface has a second rate of angular increase that is less than ⅛ the maximum mean rate of angular increase exhibited in the central portion of the bottom surface.

10. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein in the central portion of the bottom surface the first angle increases at least 40° over said shortest distance measured from the front portion of the bottom surface to the rear portion of the bottom surface.

11. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein when placed within a shoe such that the central portion of the bottom surface is adjacent to a portion of the shoe's insole that exhibits a greatest increase in slope, the insert at least one of: does not extend into a toe box of the shoe or is not greater than 2 mm thick within the toe box of the shoe.

12. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein when placed within a shoe such that the central portion of the bottom surface is adjacent to a portion of the shoe's insole that exhibits a greatest increase in slope, the insert at least one of: does not extend into an arch region of the shoe or is not greater than 2 mm thick within the arch region of the shoe.

13. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein when placed within a shoe such that the central portion of the bottom surface is adjacent to a portion of the shoe's insole that exhibits a greatest increase in slope, the insert at least one of: does not extend a metatarsal region of the shoe or is not greater than 2 mm thick within the metatarsal region of the shoe.

14. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein when placed within a shoe, the insert is readily removable and replaceable.

15. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is at least approximately L-shaped and the top surface is just slightly concave.

16. A shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein the central portion is also the thickest portion of the insert, and wherein the insert tapers toward the front edge and the rear edge.