UNIVERSAL HEELED SHOE PROTECTOR

Abstract

A universal heeled shoe protector for mounting to a heeled shoe to protect the heeled shoe from moisture and other potentially damaging elements. The protector includes a relatively flexible covering for surrounding the heeled shoe. The covering is water resistant and defines an opening at a top end. A sole is secured to a bottom end of the covering. The sole includes a top surface and a gripping surface providing traction with a ground surface. The sole includes a ball portion, an arch portion and a heel portion. A memory material is mounted to the top surface in the heel portion and at least partially in the arch portion. The memory material has a relaxed height and a compressed height. The relaxed height is greater than the compressed height. The memory material is generally positioned at the relaxed height when the heeled shoe is not positioned on the memory material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/755,285, filed on Jan. 22, 2013, and titled “Universal Heeled Shoe Protector,” the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoe protectors, such as galoshes or overshoes can be worn over another pair of shoes to protect the shoes inside the galoshes or overshoes. The shoe galoshes or overshoes are typically placed over the top of a user's shoes to prevent the shoes from becoming wet, dirty and/or scuffed/damaged. The galoshes or overshoes are typically water-resistant and flexible such that they can be mounted over a variety of different sized shoes.

Shoe protectors for women's shoes, including shoes having relatively large heels, are used less frequently than galoshes or overshoes. The women's shoe protectors and particularly protectors for shoes having relatively large heels are not flexible or adaptable for use with women's shoes having different sized heels. That is, protectors for women's heeled shoes are typically sized and shaped to be adaptable for a heel style, size and/or shape that is specific and cannot be adapted for shoes having, for example, a low heel or a relatively solid heel.

Women's shoe protectors are also typically not aesthetically pleasing, taking away from the ornamental appearance of the heel. The prior art protectors are relatively unsightly and may cause a loss of footing when secured to the shoe as they are not adapted to fit to the size of multiple shoes.

It would be desirable to design, construct and employ a universal heeled shoe protector that adapts to various styles of heeled shoes, is aesthetically pleasing and provides stable footing when worn over the heeled shoe. The preferred universal heeled shoe protector described in the present application addresses certain of these shortcomings of prior art shoe protectors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in a preferred embodiment, the present application is directed to a universal heeled shoe protector for mounting to a heeled shoe to protect the heeled shoe from moisture and other potentially damaging elements. The protector includes a relatively flexible cover for surrounding the heeled shoe. The cover is water resistant and defines an opening at the top end. A sole is secured to a bottom end of the covering. The sole includes a top surface and a gripping surface providing traction with a ground surface. The sole includes a ball portion, an arch portion and a heel portion. A memory material is mounted to the top surface in the heel portion and at least partially in the arch portion. The memory material has a relaxed height and a compressed height. The relaxed height is greater than the compressed height. The memory material is generally positioned at the relaxed height when the heeled shoe is not positioned on the memory material.

In another aspect, the present application is directed to a universal heeled shoe protector for mounting to a heeled shoe to protect the heeled shoe from moisture and other potentially damaging elements. The universal heeled shoe protector includes a relatively flexible covering for surrounding the heeled shoe, a fastening mechanism mounted to the covering proximate the opening, a sole secured to a bottom end of the covering and a memory material mounted to the top surface in the heel portion and at least partially in the arch portion. The covering is water resistant and defines an opening at a top end. The opening has a mounted configuration and an insertion configuration. The fastening mechanism is movable from a lock position to a release position. The fastening mechanism limits expansion of the opening in the lock position. The sole includes a top surface and a gripping surface providing traction with a ground surface. The sole includes a ball portion, an arch portion and a heel portion The memory material includes a block-shaped portion proximate the heel portion and a wedge-shaped portion proximate the arch portion. The memory material has a relaxed height and a compressed height. The relaxed height is greater than the compressed height and the memory material is generally positioned at the relaxed height when the heeled shoe is not positioned on the memory material

In another aspect, the preferred embodiment of the present application is directed to a method of protecting a heeled shoe with a universal heeled shoe protector having a relatively flexible covering with an opening, a sole, a memory material having a relaxed height and a compressed height and a fastening mechanism. The method includes the steps of inserting a heeled shoe into the opening such that a bottom of the shoe is positioned proximate a top surface of the sole, manipulating the covering to secure the protector to the heeled shoe, moving the fastening mechanism to a lock position, moving the fastening mechanism to a relaxed position and moving the heel to out of the opening, thereby permitting the memory material to move from the compressed height to the relaxed height. The memory material moves from the relaxed height to the compressed height when the bottom of the shoe is positioned proximate the top surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a left-side perspective view of a universal heeled shoe protector in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a left-side elevational view of the universal heeled shoe protector of FIG. 1 with a flat heeled shoe and a foot positioned therein;

FIG. 3 is a left-side elevational view of the universal heeled shoe protector of FIG. 1 with a wedge heeled shoe and a foot positioned therein;

FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of a universal heeled shoe protector of FIG. 1 with an alternately designed wedge heeled shoe and a foot positioned therein;

FIG. 5 is a left-side elevational view of a universal heeled shoe protector in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present application with a high heeled shoe positioned therein; and

FIG. 6 is a left-side elevational view of the universal heeled shoe protector of FIG. 5 with a medium heeled shoe positioned therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of the device and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, preferred embodiments of the present application are directed to a universal heeled shoe protector 10, 10′ for mounting to a heeled shoe 12 to protect the heeled shoe 12 from moisture and other potentially damaging elements. The universal heeled shoe protector 10, 10′ is generally water resistant and preferably waterproof to limit exposure of the heeled shoe 12 to water. In addition, the universal heeled shoe protector 10, 10′ preferably covers the shoe 12 in a mounted configuration to limit scuffs, dirt or other damage from impacting the ornamental appearance of the shoe 12. Like reference numerals are utilized to identify like elements of first and second preferred embodiments of the universal heeled shoe protector 10, 10′ with the prime symbol (′) utilized to distinguish the elements of the second preferred embodiment from the elements of the first preferred embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the universal heeled shoe protector 10 of the first preferred embodiment includes a relatively flexible covering 14 for surrounding the heeled shoe 12 in a mounted position. The covering 14 defines an opening 16 at a top end 14a through which the shoe 12 is inserted into the protector 10. The covering 14 is flexible to expand and/or contract the opening 16 for inserting the shoe 12 and/or the user's leg and/or ankle 28 and drawing the covering 14 about the user's leg or ankle 28 to secure the protector 10 to the user's leg and/or ankle 28. The covering 14 is preferably constructed of a water resistant or water repellant polymeric material and is also preferably generally transparent. The covering 14 is not limited to being constructed of polymeric materials or to being transparent and may be constructed of fabric or any other material that is able to take on the general size and shape of the covering 14 and withstand the normal operating conditions of the covering 14. In addition, the covering 14 is not limited to being transparent and may be opaque, semi-transparent or otherwise configured, but the covering 14 is preferably transparent to expose the ornamental appearance of the shoe 12 during use.

The universal heeled shoe protector 10 of the first preferred embodiment also includes a sole 18 secured to a bottom end 14b of the covering 14. The sole 18 includes a top surface 18a and a gripping surface 18b that provides traction with a ground surface 30 upon which the user walks. The gripping surface 18b is preferably constructed of a polymeric material that is strong, durable and somewhat flexible to provide gripping with the ground surface 30. The added grip provided by the gripping surface 18b promotes stability when a user is walking and wearing the universal heeled shoe protector 10 with high-heeled shoes 12 (FIGS. 3-5). Such added grip also promotes stable footing and safety for the user. The gripping surface 18b is not limited to any specific configuration or material and may be comprised of nearly any variety of material or surface that is able to support the protector 10 on the ground surface 30. The top surface 18a is preferably constructed of a partially elastic, comfortable surface for the user to place their shoe 12 upon during use. The top surface 18b is not limited to any specific material or configuration but is preferably configured to receive the bottom of the shoe 12 in the mounted configuration (FIGS. 2-4).

The sole 18 of the first preferred embodiment preferably includes a ball portion 20, an arch portion 22 and a heel portion 24. The ball portion 20 is generally located proximate the ball of the user's foot or shoe 12, the arch portion 22 is generally located proximate the user's arch or arch portion of the shoe 12 and the heel portion 24 is generally located proximate the heel of the foot or shoe 12 in the mounted configuration. The sole 18 is preferably sized and shaped to receive various sized and configured heeled shoes 12 thereon to support the heeled shoe 12 in the mounted configuration.

Referring to FIG. 1, the universal heeled shoe protector 10 also includes a memory material 26 mounted to the top surface 18a in the heeled portion 24 and at least partially in the arch portion 22. The memory material 26 has a relaxed height H_R when load is not applied to the memory material 26 or when the shoe 12 is not in the protector 10 in the mounted configuration. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the memory material 26 also has a compressed height H_C when the shoe 12 is in the mounted configuration and applies load to the memory material 26. The relaxed height H_R is greater than the compressed height H_C. The memory material 26 is generally positioned at the relaxed height H_R when the heeled shoe 12 is not positioned on the memory material 26 or other load is not applied to the memory material 26. The compressed height H_C is measured at the location where the heeled shoe 12 compresses the memory material 26 toward the sole 18.

The memory material 26 is preferably constructed of a foam memory material and, most preferably of a polyurethane material. The memory material 26 permits repeated loading and the memory material 26 is able to spring back at least close to its original shape, including the relaxed height H_R, after multiple uses. The memory material 26 may not spring completely back to its exact original shape or to the same relaxed height H_R when not loaded, but preferably returns to a shape close to the original, shape and to a height relatively close to the relaxed height H_R after several uses. In addition, the memory material 26 is preferably secured, bonded or positioned on the top surface 18a of the sole 18 such that the memory material 26 does not substantially move or has limited movement at its interface with the sole 18. The memory material 26 is, however, preferably not fixed to the covering 14. The memory material 26 is preferably slidably positioned in proximity to the covering 14, such that the foam memory material 26 is able to move relative to the covering 14 to and from the relaxed height H_R and the compressed height H_C. The memory material 26 is not so limited and may be bonded or partially secured to the covering 14 for securing the foam memory material 26 relative to the covering 14. Further, in an alternative preferred embodiment the memory material 26 may be secured to the covering 14, such that the covering 14 takes on a flexible form or bellows-like configuration proximate the memory material 26 to facilitate movement of the memory material 26 to and between the relaxed height H_R and the compressed height H_C. The memory material 26 is also shown in FIGS. 1-6 as being constructed of a substantially solid material, however, the memory material 26 may be constructed of a strip of material secured to the sole 18 and the covering 14, a honeycomb-type material, a porous material or nearly any material having substantially any configuration that is able to perform the functions of the memory material 26, as is described herein.

The ability of the memory material 26 to be compressed in the mounted configuration and to spring back substantially to its original shape when unloaded permits the protector 10 to be utilized with multiple varieties of heeled shoes 12 and to provide support to the user regardless of the variety of heeled shoe 12 that is worn. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a relatively high heeled wedge heeled shoe 12 may be utilized with the universal heeled shoe protector 10 wherein the foam 26 provides support to the shoe 12 along the arch portion 22, sides and the heeled portion 24. After use with such a relatively high heeled shoe 12, lower heeled shoes for 12 or even flat or very low heeled shoes 12 (FIG. 2) may be used in the same universal heeled shoe protector 10 to provide protection for these lower heeled shoes 12 and support to the user with the same memory material 26. Accordingly, a user is not required to purchase different shoe protectors for each shoe style in their closet. The memory material 26 is particularly useful for support of the relatively high heeled shoes 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) as the memory material 26 contacts the underside and/or size of the relatively high heeled shoe 12 that may not even be provided by the shoe 12 itself during normal use, thereby providing the user with additional stability when wearing the universal heeled shoe protector 10.

In the first preferred embodiment, the relaxed height H_R is approximately at least five inches (5″). The relaxed height H_R is not limited to being at least five inches (5″) and may have nearly any height desired by the designer or user of the protector 10. However, the memory material 26 may have the preferred relaxed height H_R of approximately five inches (5″) to accommodate the typical greatest height of the spiked or high heeled shoe 12 or heel that may be typically encountered. The preferred relaxed height H_R may also have lower heights, particularly if the protector 10 is targeted to lower heeled shoes 12 (FIG. 2).

The memory material 26 of the first preferred embodiment has a wedge-shaped portion 26b and a block-shaped portion 26a. The block-shaped portion 26a is generally positioned over the heel portion 24 and the wedge-shaped portion 26b is generally positioned at least partially over the arch portion 22. The block portion 26a generally defines the relaxed height H_R and supports a heel 12a of the shoe 12. Accordingly, the block portion 26a has a generally significant height, specifically to accommodate the high heeled shoes 12. The wedge-shaped portion 26b generally supports an arch 12b of the shoe 12 in the mounted configuration.

Following use, the block-shaped portion 26a and wedge-shaped portion 26b preferably spring back to their or close to their original size and shape (FIG. 1). The block-shaped portion 26a and wedge-shaped portion 26b may be constructed of different materials to accommodate the different amounts of compression and spring back that the sections of the memory material 26 are subjected to. For example, the block-shaped portion 26a may be constructed of a material that is able to accommodate greater deformations than the material of the wedge-shaped portion 26b, because the block-shaped portion 26a is generally subjected to greater deformations than the wedge-shaped portion 26b.

The memory material 26 is also able to distribute the user's weight onto the sole 18 to promote stability and safety for the user. The ability of the memory foam 26 to more evenly distribute the user's weight to the sole 18, particularly when compared to the weight distribution of a high heeled shoe 12 (FIGS. 3-6), provides a relatively stable base for the user. The relatively stable base may be particularly important for the user when walking on slippery, wet, icy and/or rough surfaces that may be encountered.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in the first preferred embodiment, the protector 10 includes a fastening mechanism 32 mounted to the covering 14 proximate the opening 16. The fastening mechanism 32 is movable from a locked position to a release position. In the lock position, the covering 14 is preferably secured around the user's leg or ankle 28 in the mounted configuration FIGS. 2-4. In a release position, the opening 16 is able to be expanded for insertion of the shoe 12 and user's foot into the protector 10. The fastening mechanism 32 may be comprised of nearly any device or implement that is able to secure the cover 14 around user's leg or ankle 28 in the mounted configuration and release the cover 14 to the release position to permit in the insertion of the shoe 12 and foot or removal of the shoe 12 and foot from the protector 10. For example, the fastening mechanism 32 may be comprised of a hook and loop material, button and hole, zipper, shoe lace, adhesive material, elastic material or nearly any mechanism or element that is able to move the covering 14 to and from the lock and release positions. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism 32 may be comprised of a substantially ring-shaped elastic element or a series of elastic elements positioned proximate the top end 14a of the covering and at least partially secured to the covering 14. The opening 16 may be moved to the release position by applying an outward force to the elastic fastening mechanism 32 to expand the opening 16 and permit insertion of the user's foot and the shoe into the covering 14. The outward force is subsequently released from the preferred elastic fastening mechanism 32 such that the fastening mechanism automatically moves to the locked position around the users leg or angle 28. The preferred elastic fastening mechanism 32 may be comprised of a substantially ring-shaped elastic material secured to the covering 14 proximate the opening 16 that is configured to expand by application of an outward force and automatically contract when the force is released for positioning around the users leg or ankle 28. The elastic fastening mechanism 32 may be utilized in combination with any of the above-described additional fastening mechanisms 32, such as the hook and loop material, button and hole, zipper, shoe lace, adhesive material and other related mechanisms and materials to secure or lock the covering 14 relative to the users leg or ankle 28. In such a combination configuration, the hook and loop material fastening mechanism 32, for example, is disengaged and force is applied to the elastic fastening mechanism to open or expand the opening 16 of the covering. However, the fastening mechanism 32 is not limited to combinations of the described individual fastening mechanisms and may include nearly any fastening mechanism 32 that is able to perform the functions of the fastening mechanism 32 and withstand the normal operating conditions of the protector 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the protector 10′ is preferably able to accommodate various types and sizes of shoes 12. For example, the protector 10 is preferably able to accommodate platform, chunky, kitten, stiletto, cone, spool, wedge, flat, low, spike, pumps, court shoes, platform wedge, wedge heeled and other varieties of shoes 12. Accordingly, the protector 10 is adaptable to many varieties of shoes 12 and a user may purchase a single protector 10 for use with every variety of shoe 12 in their closet in the preferred embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the second preferred embodiment, the protector 10′ is adapted for use with relatively high heels 12a on shoes 12. In the second preferred embodiment, the sole 18′ is split into a front portion 34 and a rear portion 36 with the memory material 26′ extending between the heel portion 24′ and arch portion 22′ without consistently contacting the top surface 18a′. This second preferred embodiment of the protector 10′ with the split sole 18′ reduces the amount of required material for the sole 18′ and memory material 26′ and potentially the stress on the memory material 18′ to spring back over great distances to its original shape. However, the protector 10′ is not limited to having a split sole 18′ for high heeled shoes 12 and the first preferred protector 10 is also able to accommodate high heeled shoes 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the protector 10 of the first preferred embodiment may be employed for use with platform wedge or wedge heeled-type shoes 12. These wedge-type shoes 12 include a wedge-shaped heel 12a that is accommodated by the memory material 26 extending along the top surface 18a from the heel portion 24 at least partially into the arch portion 22. The protector 10 accommodates the platform wedge and wedge heel-type shoes 12 wherein certain prior art protectors were unable to accommodate such shoes 12. The memory material 26 is able to deform in the heel portion 24 and arch portion 22 to accommodate such platform wedge and wedge heel-type shoes 12. Following use, the memory material 26 is able to spring back at least close to its original size and shape and subsequently also accommodate flat or low-heeled shoes 12 (FIG. 2) and medium or high heel-type shoes 12 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, the preferred protector 10 is able to accommodate multiple sized heels 12a and sized or shaped heels 12a.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in use, a user configures the protector 10, 10′ such that the fastening mechanism 32, 32′ is in the release position and the opening 16, 16′ is relatively large. The shoe 12, preferably with the user's foot therein is inserted through the opening 16, 16′ and onto the top surface 18a, 18a′ of the sole 18, 18′. The memory material 26, 26′ is compressed from its original configuration (FIG. 1) to a compressed configuration (FIGS. 2-6) wherein the memory material 26, 26′ conforms to the shoe 12. When the user stands on the shoe 12, which is positioned within the protector 10, 10′ the block-shaped portion 26a, 26a′ is compressed from the relaxed height H_R to the compressed height H_C, H_C′. The compressed memory material 26, 26′ conforms to the shoe 12 to provide support to the shoe 12 and various varieties of shoes 12. The covering 14, 14′ is preferably tightened around the user's leg or ankle 28 and the fastener 32, 32′ is moved to the lock configuration. Accordingly, the covering 14, 14′ secures maintains the shoe 12 with the user's foot therein to the protector 10, 10′. The covering 14, 14′ preferably allows the ornamental appearance of the shoe 12 to be seen therethrough and generally protects the shoe 12 from the outside elements.

Once the user has walked through an environment where they believe the protector 10, 10′ should be used, the fastening mechanism 32, 32′ may be moved from the locked to the release position, thereby increasing the size of the opening 16, 16′. The user's foot and shoe 12 may be removed from the protector 10, 10′ and the memory material 26, 26′ preferably springs back generally to its original size and shape. The protector 10, 10′ may subsequently be utilized for the same shoe 12 or for other varieties of shoes 12.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A universal heeled shoe protector for mounting to a heeled shoe to protect the heeled shoe from moisture and other potentially damaging elements, the protector comprising:

a relatively flexible covering for surrounding the heeled shoe, the covering being water resistant and defining an opening at a top end;

a sole secured to a bottom end of the covering, the sole including a top surface and a gripping surface providing traction with a ground surface, the sole including a ball portion, an arch portion and a heel portion; and

a memory material mounted to the top surface in the heel portion and at least partially in the arch portion, the memory material having a relaxed height and a compressed height, the relaxed height being greater than the compressed height, the memory material is generally positioned at the relaxed height when the heeled shoe is not positioned on the memory material.

2. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastening mechanism mounted to the covering proximate the opening, the fastening mechanism movable from a lock position to a release position.

3. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the relaxed height is approximately five inches (5″).

4. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the memory material has a wedge-shaped portion and a block-shaped portion, the block-shaped portion positioned adjacent the heel portion.

5. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the memory material is comprised of a foam memory material.

6. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 5, wherein the foam memory material is constructed of a polyurethane material.

7. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the arch portion is separate from the heel portion, the arch portion being secured to the heel portion by at least one of the memory material and the covering.

8. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the opening is selectively expandable to an insertion configuration wherein a user's foot may be inserted into the universal heeled shoe protector and is contractible from the insertion configuration to a mounted configuration to secure the user's foot in the universal heeled shoe protector.

9. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 8, further comprising:

a fastening mechanism mounted to the covering proximate the opening, the fastening mechanism being in a release position to facilitate expansion and contraction of the opening, the fastening mechanism being in a lock position to secure the user's foot in the universal heeled shoe protector.

10. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastening mechanism comprised of hook and loop material mounted to the covering proximate the opening.

11. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 1, wherein the memory material has a block-shaped portion and a wedge-shaped portion, the relaxed height and the compressed height being measured in the block-shaped portion.

12. A universal heeled shoe protector for mounting to a heeled shoe to protect the heeled shoe from moisture and other potentially damaging elements, the protector comprising:

a relatively flexible covering for surrounding the heeled shoe, the covering being water resistant and defining an opening at a top end, the opening having a mounted configuration and an insertion configuration;

a fastening mechanism mounted to the covering proximate the opening, the fastening mechanism movable from a lock position to a release position, the fastening mechanism limiting expansion of the opening in the lock position;

a sole secured to a bottom end of the covering, the sole including a top surface and a gripping surface providing traction with a ground surface, the sole including a ball portion, an arch portion and a heel portion; and

a memory material mounted to the top surface in the heel portion and at least partially in the arch portion, the memory material including a block-shaped portion proximate the heel portion and a wedge-shaped portion proximate the arch portion, the memory material having a relaxed height and a compressed height, the relaxed height being greater than the compressed height, the memory material is generally positioned at the relaxed height when the heeled shoe is not positioned on the memory material.

13. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the memory material is comprised of a foam memory material.

14. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the memory material is comprised of a polyurethane material.

15. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the relaxed height is approximately five inches (5″).

16. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the fastener is comprised of hook and loop material.

17. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the fastener is comprised of a zipper.

18. The universal heeled shoe protector of claim 12, wherein the covering is constructed of a substantially transparent polymeric material.

19. A method of protecting a heeled shoe with a universal heeled shoe protector having a relatively flexible covering with an opening, a sole, a memory material having a relaxed height and a compressed height and a fastening mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a heeled shoe into the opening such that a bottom of the shoe is positioned proximate a top surface of the sole, the memory material moving from the relaxed height to the compressed height when the bottom of the shoe is positioned proximate the top surface;

b) manipulating the covering to secure the protector to the heeled shoe;

c) moving the fastening mechanism to a lock position;

d) moving the fastening mechanism to a relaxed position;

e) moving the heeled shoe out of the opening, thereby permitting the memory material to move from the compressed height to the relaxed height.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the relaxed height is greater than the compressed height, the relaxed height being at least five inches (5″).