Happy Heelz--An Anatomically Designed Heeled Shoe

Abstract

An anatomically designed heeled shoe having an insole/midsole combination and a recessed cavity at the heel articulates the natural shape of a foot. The design of the heeled shoe manages defects in the natural shape of the foot, reducing any pain and the exacerbation of podiatric conditions and problems incurred from use of improper footwear. The insole/midsole combination broadly disperses the weight bearing across the entire base of the foot and takes pressure away across the metatarsals and toes, providing a comfort-level equivalent to a flat shoe. While disguising the insole/midsole combination and imitating the height and appearance of a higher heeled shoe, the anatomically designed heeled shoe ensures additional height, optimal comfort and health for the wearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to and incorporates herein by this reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/843,974, entitled “Happy Heelz” and filed on Jul. 9, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people who wear heeled shoes, particularly high-heeled shoes, face ongoing pain and foot problems, because of the improper design and structure of conventional heeled shoes. After immediate heel impact during use, the brunt of the weight of the wearer is bearing over the forefoot area where the toes are cramped tightly together. This type of improper footwear can lead to or exacerbate numerous podiatric problems and conditions for the wearer. Some of the possible conditions include Achilles tendinitis, ankle instability, arthritis, bunions, calluses, corns, flat feet, hammertoes, high arched feet, ingrown toenails, metatarsalgia, neuroma, plantar fasciitis, pronation, and stress fractures.

Generally, many people must wear a more comfortable shoe, such as a flat or sneaker, in order to avoid the pain and issues associated with the conventional heeled shoes. Particularly, for commuters to work, because the more comfortable shoe would not be appropriate attire given the situation, such as a professional office environment, many people would be required to change their shoes upon arrival into a suitable shoe like a high-heeled shoe.

While many wellness-type devices exist to provide additional comfort for the wearer of a shoe, these devices have stigma with wearers and tend project a poor image of oneself in view of the wearer. In general, all of the current devices are clearly visible from the view of an onlooker, making the devices use obvious not only to the wearer but all onlookers as well. Thus, many wearers prefer not to utilize such wellness-type devices despite their added comfort.

The ramp effect is defined as the incline between the ball of the foot and the heel. The ramp effect may be a significant factor that compromises the comfort of the shoe. Even with the standard mid-heeled shoe, there is typically a steep ramp effect leading to pressure on the forefoot during use. The current wellness-type devices do little to distribute weight or reduce the ramp effect of the heeled shoe. Even though some of styles of wellness-type devices offer height, such styles do not accomplish this elevated look without sacrificing comfort for the wearer. Accordingly, there is a need to address the problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to footwear, particularly to a heeled shoe that is anatomically designed to fit the shape and structure of the human body, especially the feet, in order to ensure optimal comfort and health for a wearer. The present invention may provide an insole/midsole combination, which articulates the natural shape of the foot, may be incorporated in and/or imbedded into a high-heeled shoe having a deeply recessed heel cavity. The heel cavity may reduce pressure across the metatarsals and toes of the foot by allowing the mid and rear foot to support the body weight of the wearer and absorb impact during use. The deeply recessed and rounded heel cavity may allow the calcaneus bone (i.e., the heel bone) of the foot to settle into upon heel impact, displacing pressure from the metatarsals, toes, and other sensitive pressure points along the foot. The longitudinal arch area of the foot may be accentuated in height as the heel cavity may be recessed in depth, offering broad weight dispersion and simultaneously alleviating pressure across the metatarsals and toes, which is a problem commonly associated with the wearing of conventional improper footwear.

The present invention may include an advantageous, but optional, feature of a metatarsal ridge. The metatarsal ridge may be formed on the top surface of the insole/midsole combination at the toe portion. The metatarsal ridge may be included on the toe portion of the midsole/anatomical insole combination such that the base end of the toes of the foot fit to provide a gripping for the toes.

The heeled shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may feature a rocker bottom to ensure the wearer does not have flat footing along the proximal-distal axis of the foot during use.

The heeled shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an anatomical insole and an anatomical midsole permanently combined together or a combination of an anatomical insole/midsole that is temporarily combined together such that the insole may be inserted or removed from the midsole.

The present invention is not limited to any specific heel heights or shoe types and the overall dimensions and sizes of the parts of the heeled shoe would be relative to the foot of wearer and desired the structures and designs for the wearer.

The present invention is also not limited to any specific dimensions of the cavity formed in the heel portion of the heeled shoe and designed to fit the natural contours of the heel. The dimensions of the cavity may vary depending on the desired specifications and/or design of the heeled shoe, and/or the size of the foot of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a heeled shoe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the interior structure of the exemplary embodiment of the heeled shoe according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the foot of the wearer fitting into the exemplary embodiment of the heeled shoe according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the heeled shoe according to the present invention having an insertable/removable insole.

FIGS. 5(a)-(c) illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the heeled shoe according to the present invention having different heel heights and profiles.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary applications and implementations of the heeled shoe according to the present invention to a variety of styles and types of footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is understood that specific embodiments are provided as examples to teach the broader inventive concept, and one of ordinary skill in the art can easily apply the teachings of the present disclosure to other apparatuses and devices. Also, it is understood that the apparatuses and devices discussed in the present disclosure include some conventional structures and/or steps. Since these structures and steps are well known in the art, they will only be discussed in a general level of detail. Furthermore, reference numbers are repeated throughout the drawings for the sake of convenience and example, and such repetition does not indicate any required combination of features throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention. For purposes of illustration, FIGS. 1-3 depict a dress pump with a heel height of about two to three inches. However, the present invention is not limited to any specific heel heights or shoe types and FIGS. 1-3 are merely provided as an example. FIGS. 5 and 6 provide additional non-limiting examples. Further, a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the overall dimensions and size of the parts of the heeled shoe 1 would be relative to the foot of wearer and the structures and designs discussed herein are merely for purposes of example and in no way limit implementation or incorporation of the present invention.

Regardless of the specific style of footwear, the basic structure of the heeled shoe 1 includes a sole, which may, for example, consist of an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The outsole is a layer of the sole in direct contact with the ground. The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. The midsole is a layer in between the outsole and the insole. For example, the present invention may provide an anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 including an anatomical insole 31 and an anatomical midsole 32, discussed in greater detailed with respect to FIG. 4.

According to the exemplary embodiment depicted by FIGS. 1-3, the insole and midsole of the heeled shoe 1 may be permanently attached to each other and thereby be provided as an anatomical combination 3 of the insole and midsole. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be fitted together such that the insole may be removed from the midsole and used on a temporary basis. See FIG. 4 for a more detailed discussion.

A covering 2 which covers the orthopedic qualities of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3, which is incorporated into the design and construction of the heeled shoe 1. The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be covered to disguise the wellness design of the heeled shoe 1, allowing the heeled shoe 1 to appear to be a fashionable mid or high-heeled shoe or wedge. Thus, for example, the anatomical properties of well-known flat-soled shoes, such as sandals, may be advantageously applied to high-heeled shoes. By way of example and not limitation, the heeled shoe 1 has a heel height of approximately three inches, but the present invention may be applicable to any desired heel height, beginning with a minimum heel height of 1.5 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the heel of height of the heeled shoe 1 may be any of the following ranges, which are all presented in inches: 1.5-2, 1.5-2.5, 1.5-3, 1.5-3.5, 1.5-4, 1.5-4.5, 1.5-5, 1.5-5.5, 1.5-6, 1.5-6.5, 1.5-7, 2-2.5, 2-3, 2-3.5, 2-4, 2-4.5, 2-5, 2-5.5, 2-6, 2-6.5, 2-7, 2.5-3, 2.5-3.5, 2.5-4, 2.5-4.5, 2.5-5, 2.5-5.5, 2.5-6, 2.5-6.5, 2.5-7, 3-3.5, 3-4, 3-4.5, 3-5, 3-5.5, 3-6, 3-6.5, 3-7, 3.5-4, 3.5-4.5, 3.5-5, 3.5-5.5, 3.5-6, 3.5-6.5, 3.5-7, 4-4.5, 4-5, 4-5.5, 4-6, 4-6.5, 4-7, 4.5-5, 4.5-5.5, 4.5-6, 4.5-6.5, 4.5-7, 5-5.5, 5-6, 5-6.5, 5-7, 5.5-6, 5.5-6.5, 5.5-7, 6-6.5, 6-7, or 6.5-7.

For example, by utilizing the covering 2, the heeled shoe 1 may give the impression of an enclosed dress shoe with a traditional incline from the ball of the foot to the heel. The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may position the foot for optimal comfort and health, serving as a height-providing platform. By way of example and not limitation, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be designed to imitate the height and appearance of a mid or high-heeled shoe or wedge. The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may, for example, be configured to decrease the incline between the heel portion 4 and the toe portion 5 and/or the ball of the foot 10 when compared to a traditional heeled shoe. Thereby, the ramp effect is minimized and any pressure formed under the ball of the foot and across the metatarsals may be reduced.

The covering 2 may be made of any material suitable, such as, but not limited to, leather, rubber, canvas, nylon, and plastics. Further, the covering 2 may incorporate a stretchable material like a synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, or a synthetic fiber having exceptional elasticity, such as spandex, elastane, or lycra. While illustrated as a single piece in FIG. 1, the covering 1 may be formed by joining one or more sections during production. By way of example and not limitation, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be made of molded lightweight foam, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, compression molded natural cork or cork crumb, and/or any flexible material, such as polyurethane, offering suitable comfort for the wearer of the heeled shoe 1. By way of example and not limitation, the combination 3 of the insole and midsole may be attached permanently with bonding agents, such as rubber gel or latex. However, the present invention may also provide a removable/insertable insole as discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom 8 of the heeled shoe 1 has a thin outer sole, which is preferably made of rubber, with a rounded, squared or asymmetrical heel to facilitate stability, and the bottom 8 may include a rocker bottom 6 to facilitate mobility. The thickness of the outer sole is relative to the design of the shoe and is not limited to the thickness shown here. For example, in order to ensure the wearer does not have flat footing along the proximal-distal axis of the foot during use, the bottom 8 of the heeled shoe 1 may have a rocker bottom 6 under the toe portion of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3.

FIG. 2 shows the interior structure of the exemplary embodiment of a heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention illustrated by FIG. 1, which may incorporate the anatomical flat properties of a well-known flat soled shoe to that of a heeled shoe 1. The covering 2 is depicted by dashed lines merely for purposes of illustration in order to reveal the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 hidden by the covering 2.

The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may improve foot comfort without impeding the mobility of the wearer of the heeled shoe 1. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may include, among other features, a heel portion 4, a toe portion 5, a cavity 9, and a metatarsal ridge 7.

The heel portion 4 is the bottom rear part of the heeled shoe 1, which may function to support the heel of the foot and provide height for fashion or to make the person look taller. For example, the heel portion 4 may be elevated relative to the toe portion 5 in order to provide any desired incline between the toes and heel of the foot. The design of the heeled shoe 1 may disguise the orthopedic qualities and render the look of any shoe, including, by way of example, a fashionable high-heeled shoe.

The toe portion 5 is a part of the heeled shoe 1 at the bottom front, which may protect and support the toes of the foot. The toe portion 5 may optionally include a metatarsal ridge 7, which may be formed along the top surface 30 of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the metatarsal ridge 7 may be formed where the base end of the toes would sit in the heeled shoe 1. The metatarsal ridge 7 may aid with toe gripping during use of the heeled shoe 1 by a wearer.

The cavity 9 may be deeply recessed into a top surface 30 of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 in heel portion 4. The calcaneus is the largest bone in the foot, sloping upward to meet the tarsal bones, which point downward along with the remaining bones of the feet. Below the juncture of the calcaneus and tarsal bones, the arch areas of the foot—the medial arch area, the lateral arch area, and the longitudinal arch area—are created by the angles of the bones and strengthened by the tendons that connect the muscles, and the ligaments that connect the bones. During use of the heeled shoe 1, the cavity 9 allows for the calcaneus bone (i.e., the heel bone) of the wearer to settle into it upon heel impact. Thus, any pressure from the metatarsals and other sensitive pressure points along the foot may be displaced for the wearer. For example, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be configured to accentuate the longitudinal arch area of the foot providing height for the wearer as the heel is allowed to settle into the cavity 9, offering broad weight dispersion and at the same time alleviating pressure across the metatarsals and toes.

By shifting weight back onto the heels of the wearer, the cavity 9 may improve the posture of the wearer of the heeled shoe 1. Thereby, the wearer may appear taller and thinner with a trimmer and youthful silhouette emerging from wearing the heeled shoe 1. Further, the cavity 9 may shift pressure from the front of the foot to the mid foot and the heel, stabilizing the ankle and restricting pronation of the foot, among other exemplary podiatric conditions. The cavity 9 may also alleviate inflammation of many painful foot conditions by shifting pressure off the metatarsals.

The heeled shoe 1 may help deal with defects in the natural shape of the foot and may reduce any pain in the digits, balls of the feet, instep and muscles in the legs, hip and lower back incurred from using improper conventional footwear. The heeled shoe 1 and further reduces the likelihood of exacerbating other podiatric conditions and problems associated with use of improper conventional footwear, as discussed in detail above.

In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 9 is approximately one inch deep from the top surface 30 of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3, such that the heel may remain nominally higher than the ball of the foot and toes even upon heel impact. For example, the depth of the cavity 9 may preferably ranges from one-half an inch to one inch from the top surface 30. However, the cavity 9 may have, but is not limited to, a depth that is any of the following ranges, which are all represented in inches: 0.125-1.5, 0.25-1.5, 0.375-1.5, 0.5-1.5, 0.625-1.5, 0.75-1.5, 0.875-1.5, 1-1.5, 1.125-1.5, 1.25-1.5, 1.375-1.5, 0.125-1.375, 0.25-1.375, 0.375-1.375, 0.5-1.375, 0.625-1.375, 0.75-1.375, 0.875-1.375, 1-1.375, 1.125-1.375, 1.25-1.375, 0.125-1.25, 0.25-1.25, 0.375-1.25, 0.5-1.25, 0.625-1.25, 0.75-1.25, 0.875-1.25, 1-1.25, 1.125-1.25, 0.125-1.125, 0.25-1.125, 0.375-1.125, 0.5-1.125, 0.625-1.125, 0.75-1.125, 0.875-1.125, 1-1.125, 0.125-1, 0.25-1, 0.375-1, 0.5-1, 0.625-1, 0.75-1, 0.875-1, 0.125-0.875, 0.25-0.875, 0.375-0.875, 0.5-0.875, 0.625-0.875, 0.75-0.875, 0.125-0.75, 0.25-0.75, 0.375-0.75, 0.5-0.75, 0.625-0.75, 0.125-0.625, 0.25-0.625, 0.375-0.625, 0.5-0.625, 0.125-0.5, 0.25-0.5, 0.375-0.5, 0.125-0.375, 0.25-0.375, or 0.125-0.25.

A preferred length and width of the cavity 9 may be, but is not limited to, approximately two inches long by two inches wide inches. In an exemplary embodiment, both the width and length of the cavity may range from one and a half inches to two inches, respectively. However, the cavity 9 may have, but is not limited to, both a width and a length of the cavity that is, for example, any of the following ranges, which are all represented in inches: 1-2.5, 1.25-2.5, 1.5-2.5, 1.75-2.5, 2-2.5, 1-2.25, 1.25-2.25, 1.5-2.25, 1.75-2.25, 2-2.25, 1-2, 1.25-2, 1.5-2, 1.75-2, 1-1.75, 1.25-1.75, 1.5-1.75, 1-1.5, 1.25-1.5, or 1-1.25. Nonetheless, the depth, length, and width of the cavity 9 may vary depending on the desired dimensions and/or design of the heeled shoe 1, and the size of the wearer's foot or shoe size.

The depth of the cavity 9 may be measured as the difference between the highest part of the arch or the foot 10 and the lowest part or the center of the heel of the foot 10. For example, the depth of the cavity 9 may be such that there is approximately three-quarters of an inch difference from the bottom of the heel to the top of the arch, if the arch is measured at the center line of the foot 10, which may be represented by the line running between the back of the heel to the tip of the second toe. In another exemplary embodiment, if the measurement position is placed further to the medial side of the arch, the depth of the cavity 9 is such that there is approximately one inch difference from the bottom of the heel to the top of the arch. Nonetheless, the present invention is not limited to any specific dimensions of the cavity 9, and the dimensions of the cavity 9 may be relative to desired the dimensions and/or design of the heeled shoe 1, and the size of the wearer's foot or shoe size.

The shape of the cavity 9 may be rounded or be shaped into any form, including, but not limited to, a tear drop, a diamond, a hemisphere, half of an ellipsoid, an and/or half of an ovaloid. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 9 is shaped into the heel portion to fit the natural contours of the heel.

FIG. 3 shows a foot 10 of a wearer fitting into an exemplary embodiment of a heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention. As in FIG. 2, the covering 2 is depicted by dashed lines in FIG. 3 merely for purposes of illustration in order to reveal the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 hidden by the covering 2.

While the longitudinal arch area of the foot 10 is accentuated in height, the heel area of the foot 10 is recessed in depth because the heel is allowed to settle at the heel portion 4 into the cavity 9 of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3. Thus, the heeled shoe I may offer broad weight dispersion, by eliminating the metatarsal area pressure commonly associated with wearing heeled shoes. The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be designed such that there is a minimal difference between the height from the toes of the foot 10 to the bottom 8 of the heeled shoe 1 and the height from the heel of the foot 10 to the bottom 8 of the heeled shoe 1 while in use. And, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may serve as a platform that is configured to provide height and imitate the appearance of a mid or high-heeled or wedged shoe. Also, the slight inclination at the heel of the foot 10 may provide similar comfort as flat or low-heeled shoes to the wearer of the heeled shoe 1. For example, for the wearer of the heeled shoe 1, the plane of the heel to the toes of foot 10 may kept slightly higher and consistent with flat or low-heeled footwear.

In a preferred embodiment, the difference in heights between the ball of the foot 10 and the heel may be approximately three-quarters of an inch order to provide optimal comfort for the wearer. A person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the dimensions of the heeled shoe 1 depend on the desired size, shape and style for fitting to the foot 10 of the wearer. Accordingly, the difference in heights between the ball of the foot 10 and the heel may preferably range from one-quarter of an inch to 1.25 inches in order to accommodate the dimensions and desires of the wearer. As a further example, the difference between the back of the heel to the tip of second toe may be any of the following ranges, which are represented in inches: 0.5-1.25, 0.625-1.25, 0.75-1.25, 0.875-1.25, 1-1.25, 1.125-1.25, 0.5-1.125, 0.625-1.125, 0.75-1.125, 0.875-1.125, 1-1.125, 0.5-1, 0.625-1, 0.75-1, 0.875-1, 0.5-0.875, 0.625-0.875, 0.75-0.875, 0.5-0.75, 0.625-0.75, or 0.5-0.625.

The anatomical midsole/insole combination 3 may articulate the natural shape of the foot 10 and reduce the pressure across the metatarsals of the foot 10 by using the mid and rear areas of the foot 10 to support the body weight of the wearer and absorb impact during use. For example, because the longitudinal arch is higher on the medial side than on the lateral side of the foot 10, and forms the arch support is formed to support the foot 10 and disperses the weight bearing on the foot 10. The actual lines of the curvature of the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may reflect the surface lines of the foot 10. Accordingly, from an external viewpoint, the general impression to an onlooker may be of a stylish, attractive heeled shoe 1 that may be used for multiple purposes. See FIG. 1 for an exemplary external viewpoint of the heeled shoe 1.

By way of example, the anatomical midsole/insole combination 3 may optionally include a metatarsal ridge 7 formed at the toe portion 5 of the heeled shoe 1. The metatarsal ridge 7 may protrude from the top surface 30 of the anatomical midsole/insole combination 3 such that the base end of the toes of the foot 10 fit on the metatarsal ridge 7 when the heeled shoe 1 is being worn. The metatarsal ridge 7 may provide additional support and comfort for the foot 10 of the wearer, particularly allowing the toes to easily grip when wearing the heeled shoe 1.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of the heeled shoe 1. While the anatomical insole and the anatomical midsole may be combined permanently as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the anatomical insole may also be removable from the heeled shoe 1. Like in FIGS. 2 and 3, the covering 2 in FIG. 4 is depicted by dashed lines merely for purposes of illustration in order to reveal the anatomical combination 3 of the anatomical insole 31 and the anatomical midsole 32, which are hidden by the covering 2.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 4, the anatomical insole 31 and the anatomical midsole 32 may be temporarily attached together such that the insole 31 may be removed from the midsole 32. Thus, the removable insole 31 may be used on a temporary basis, allowing for simple replacement of the removable insole 31 as desired by wearer for purposes of fit or comfort. The removable insole 31 may be designed to accommodate insertion of an orthotic, which is used to help modify the structural and functional characteristics of the wearer's skeletal system.

As discussed above with respect to the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3, both the insole 31 and the midsole 32 may be made of any flexible material, such as a molded lightweight foam or a compression molded natural cork or cork crumb, and/or any flexible material. The flexible material may have elastic properties allowing for simple insertion and removable of the temporary insole 31 in and out of the heeled shoe 1. The removable insole 31 may be made of a flexible material that is easily reshaped and/or trimmed to fit any style of heeled shoe 1. See FIG. 6 for a further discussion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insertable insole 31 may have a thickness of approximately one-half of an inch and may range from one-quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch for optimal comfort and health of the wearer of the heeled shoe 1. By way of example, the thickness of the insertable insole 31 may be any of the following ranges, which are represented in inches: 0.5-1.25, 0.625-1.25, 0.75-1.25, 0.875-1.25, 1-1.25, 1.125-1.25, 0.5-1.125, 0.625-1.125, 0.75-1.125, 0.875-1.125, 1-1.125, 0.5-1, 0.625-1, 0.75-1, 0.875-1, 0.5-0.875, 0.625-0.875, 0.75-0.875, 0.5-0.75, 0.625-0.75, or 0.5-0.625. Depending on the thickness of the insertable insole 31, a person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the insertable insole 31 might be recessed to accommodate the cavity 9 the heel of the wearer at a desired incline. For example, a portion of the insertable insole 31 may be completely recessed through the bottom surface 310 of the insertable insole 31 such that the cavity 9 is recessed into a top surface 320 of the midsole 32.

Regardless of the whether the midsole 32 and the insole 31 are permanently or temporarily combined, the bottom surface 310 of the anatomical removable insole 31 may have a shaped curvature that substantially matches the shape of the top surface 320 of midsole 32. In a preferred embodiment, the substantial alignment of the top and bottom surfaces 310, 320 of the insole 31 and midsole 32, respectively, is required for the final production process to ensure proper attachment and/or fitting. Accordingly, the heeled shoe 1 may provide height for the wearer without applying pressure over the metatarsals of the forefoot.

Appearing to be a higher heeled shoe, the heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention may be uniquely built on an anatomical insole/midsole combination 3, which offers broad weight bearing dispersion across the entire base of the foot and takes pressure away across the metatarsals and toes. Providing a comfort-level that is comparable to that of a flat shoe, the heeled shoe I may improve foot comfort while not impeding mobility of the wearer.

There are various methods for manufacturing and/or constructing the heeled shoe 1. Many of such methods are well known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, a last, which is a mechanical form having a shape similar to that of a foot, may be used for a variety of footwear construction applications. The last may be developed into many styles and sizes, depending on the exact structure the last is designed for, which is shown as an example in FIG. 6. The last is developed to incorporate the allowances for an anatomical midsole 31, and the midsole 31 may be developed to fit into the profile of the last. During the lasting operation, the insole 31 may be utilized for attaching to the lasting margin of the upper, which is wrapped around the last during the closing of the heeled shoe 1.

The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be cemented together, forming a permanent bond between the insole 31 and midsole 32. The cementing process may take several forms, but a preferable method, for example, is the Californian process. In the Californian construction of a heeled shoe 1, the wrapping process may be used with or without a Strobel like stitched sock lining. According exemplary approach for constructing a cemented heeled shoe 1, a compression molded lasting board on the base of the last may be used to establish the permanent bond. A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize the complexity of manufacturing the heeled shoe 1 with a cementing process.

The anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 imbedded or fitted into any desired shoe design or structure may place the foot in the heeled shoe 1 such that the position of the foot is proper during standing and/or walking. Accordingly, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 ensures optimal comfort and health for the wearer, and serves as a height-providing platform, which is designed to imitate the height and appearance of a mid or high-heeled or wedged shoe.

FIGS. 5(a)-(c) show various examples of the heeled shoes 1 having different heel heights and profiles. The different heights and profiles shown in FIGS. 5(a)-(c) are exemplary embodiments of the heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention. As illustrated by way of example, the anatomical insole/midsole combination 3 may be incorporated and/or imbedded into a high-heeled shoe 10 (FIG. 5(a)), a mid-heeled shoe 11 (FIG. 5(b)), and a low-heeled shoe 12 (FIG. 5(c)). As shown in FIGS. 5(a)-(c), the present invention may be designed to accommodate any desired height for the heel of the shoe. Regardless of the specific heel height incorporated into the design of the heeled shoe 1, the longitudinal arch is higher on the medial side of the foot 10 in comparison to the lateral side of the foot 10, forming the arch support to support the foot and to disperse weight of the wearer.

FIG. 6 shows exemplary applications and implementations of the heeled shoe 1 according to the present invention to a variety of styles and types of footwear. The designs of the heeled shoe 1 are unlimited and, for example, any combination in terms of pattern, cut, decoration and style may be applied to a wide variety of footwear in order to provide a complete wardrobe. As illustrated in FIG. 6 by way of example, the applicable footwear for the heeled shoe 1 includes, but is not limited to, dress shoes 100, dress sandals 200, booties 300, casual sandals 400, casual shoes 500, open shoes 600, clogs 700, boots 800, walking shoes 900 and slippers 1000.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are described as including a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect or embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it will be understood that such feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made to the provided description without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

Other embodiments, uses and features of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The specification and drawings should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the disclosure is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A heeled shoe comprising:

an insole/midsole combination having a heel portion and a toe portion, the heel portion is elevated relative to the toe portion providing an incline between a heel and toes of a foot of a wearer;

a covering which covers the insole/midsole combination; and

a cavity formed in the heel portion of the insole/midsole combination allowing the heel of the wearer to settle into the cavity upon impact.

2. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is recessed into a top surface of the insole/midsole combination such that the heel remains higher than the toes upon impact.

3. The heeled shoe according to claim 2, wherein a depth of the cavity ranges from half an inch to one inch.

4. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a length ranging from one and a half inches to two inches, and the cavity has a width ranging from one and a half inches to two inches.

5. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is shaped into at least one of a tear drop, a diamond, a hemisphere, a half of an ellipsoid, and a half of an ovaloid.

6. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the toe portion includes a metatarsal ridge formed along a top surface of the insole/midsole.

7. The heeled shoe according to claim 1 further comprising:

a rocker bottom on the bottom of the heeled shoe.

8. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the anatomical insole/midsole combination is configured to decrease the incline between the heel and the ball of the foot.

9. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the insole/midsole combination is configured to accentuate a longitudinal arch area of the foot and is configured to serve as a height-providing platform for the wearer while the heel settles into the cavity.

10. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the insole/midsole combination is made of at least one of a molded lightweight foam, a compression molded natural cork, a compression molded natural cork crumb, and polyurethane.

11. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the insole/midsole combination is incorporated or imbedded into a high-heeled shoe, a mid-heeled shoe, and a low-heeled shoe.

12. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the insole/midsole combination includes an anatomical insole and an anatomical midsole.

13. The heeled shoe according to claim 12, wherein the anatomical insole is permanently attached to the anatomical midsole.

14. The heeled shoe according to claim 13, wherein the anatomical insole and the anatomical midsole are permanently attached with a bonding agent selected from a group that includes at least one of rubber gel and rubber latex.

15. The heeled shoe according to claim 12, wherein the anatomical insole is temporarily attached to the anatomical midsole such that the anatomical insole is removable from the heeled shoe,

16. The heeled shoe according to claim 15, wherein the anatomical insole has a bottom shaped curvature matching a shape of a top surface of the anatomical midsole.

17. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein the covering is made of a material selected from a group that includes at least one of leather, rubber, synthetic rubber, canvas, nylon, neoprene, synthetic fiber, spandex, elastane, lycra, and plastic.

18. The heeled shoe according to claim 1, wherein a design of the heeled shoe is selected from a group that includes at least one of a dress shoe, a dress sandal, a bootie, a casual sandal, a casual shoe, an open shoe, a clog, a boot, a walking shoe, and a slipper.