DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A HEEL

Abstract

A device for protecting a heel of a shoe includes a body including an upper end and a lower end, a flexible material positioned along a portion of an outer edge of the body, and an attachment mechanism positioned at the upper end of the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Patent No. 62/204,077 filed Aug. 12, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a device for protecting a heel of a shoe. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that covers the outer surface of the heel of a shoe to prevent scuffing.

Everyone wishes their shoes could look as clean and new as the first day they bought them, but daily wear can cause damage, especially scuff marks on the heel of the shoe. One major cause of scuff marks is wearing shoes while driving—when the foot presses back and forth on the pedals, the floor of the car or other pedals can rub against the heel of the shoe. Many other daily activities can similarly wear on the fabric of the shoe. This is a problem for anyone who wishes to preserve the integrity of their shoes and overall appearance, and it may be particularly problematic for shoes meant for formal occasions, such as high heels.

Although there are some solutions for protecting shoes, many of them have drawbacks in convenience and effectiveness. For example, some shoe covers available on the market are plastic pouches with an elastic opening for feet. These covers shield the entire foot in plastic, which may be uncomfortable for people with exposed skin. The plastic material itself may wear over time, necessitating more covers. Another option for protecting shoes is to switch shoes when performing damaging activities such as driving. But this may be inconvenient for people who do not have the time to exchange shoes or do not want to have an extra pair of shoes with them. Further, shoes may become damaged in transit, especially if the wearer carries them in such a way that the shoes could be crushed or scuffed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a heel protector that easily and effectively shields the heel of the shoe during potentially damaging activities, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a device that easily and temporarily attaches to the heel of a shoe. The device is adjustable so that it can fit a variety of sizes and types of shoes. In the examples provided below, the exemplary shoe is a high heel, although the device may be used with any shoe that includes a heel extending between a heel tip and a counter.

In one embodiment, the device includes a body having an upper end and a lower end that extends across the heel of the shoe during use. A channel may be formed along a portion of an outer edge of the body, and a flexible material such as a string, a cord, or a ribbon is positioned within the channel. In one example embodiment, the channel may run along three sides of the rectangular body so that it encompasses the lower end. Further, the channel may be formed by folding and stitching a portion of the outer edge of the body onto itself, or by forming a tube with another material and stitching it to three sides of the rectangular body. First and second portions of the flexible material extend from the channel at the upper end and may include snaps or Velcro to fasten together. In another embodiment, a flexible material such as an elastic ribbon may be stitched to the lower end of the fabric body.

During use, the user first positions the lower end of the body around the heel tip of the shoe. The user then positions the upper end of the body adjacent to the counter of the shoe and pulls the first and second portions of the flexible material so that the body of the device rests against the heel of the shoe. The user then ties, snaps, or otherwise fastens the first and second portions of the flexible material around her ankle above the shoe.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to scuff mark and shoe damage prevention that is easy to use and effective.

An advantage of the invention is that it protects the backs of shoes during potentially damaging activities such as driving.

Another advantage of the invention is that may be used with a variety of shoe styles.

A further advantage of the invention is that it provides durable material for long-lasting use.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it may be inexpensively produced.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the heel protector device of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of the heel protector device of the present application.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary shoe that may be used in connection with the heel protector devices of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the exemplary shoe of FIG. 3 with the heel protector device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the Figs., the heel protector device 10 of the present application includes a body 12 with an upper end 14 and a lower end 16 that extends along the heel 18 of a shoe 20 during use. A flexible material 22 such as a string or cord is positioned along a portion 24 of an outer edge 26 of the body 12, and forms an attachment mechanism 28 at the upper end 14 of the body 12.

The body 12 may be a piece of stretchable fabric such as, but not limited to, cotton, leather, and spandex, or any other suitable material. The flexible material 22 is positioned around the lower end 16 of the device 10 to create a pocket 30 at the lower end 16 to capture or catch a heel tip 32 of the shoe 20 as shown in FIG. 4. During use, the lower end 16 of the body 12 is positioned about the heel tip 32 of the shoe 20 so that the pocket 30 receives the heel tip 32.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 12 includes a channel 34 along the portion 22 of the outer edge 26 of the body 12. The channel 34 may be formed by folding and stitching the outer edge 26 of the body 12, by stitching or otherwise attaching a tubular material to the body 12, or any other similar method. The flexible material 22, which may be a string, a cord, a ribbon, a length of fabric, or any other suitable material, is positioned within the channel 34. The flexible material 22 may have some elasticity. The attachment mechanism 28 is formed by first and second portions 36a, 36b of the flexible material 22 that extend out of the channel 34 at the upper end 14 of the body 12. In other words, the flexible material 22 has a length that is greater than the length of the channel 34. Once the lower end 16 of the body 12 is positioned about the heel tip 32 of the shoe 20, pulling on the first and second portions 36a, 36b of the flexible material 22 cause the lower end 16 to form the pocket 30 that wraps around the heel tip 32 of the shoe 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible material 22 is an elastic material 38 that is stitched along a portion 40 of the outer edge 26 at the lower end 16 of the body 12. The elastic material 38 extends at least along the lower end 16 and may extend up to the upper end 14 as well. The elastic material 38 may be a stretchable polymeric material or a fabric including polymeric or rubber material extending throughout the length.

Referring to FIG. 3, the device may be used on a high heel shoe 20 that includes a heel 18 extending between a heel tip 32 and a shoe counter 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the heel tip 32 is positioned within the lower end 16 of the device 10, and the attachment mechanism 28 of the device 10 is positioned above the counter 42 of the shoe 10.

During use, the user positions the lower end 16 of the body 12 of the device 10 about the heel tip 32 of the shoe 20, and then positions the upper end 14 of the body 12 adjacent to the counter 42 of the shoe 20. The user then attaches the attachment mechanism 28 to one of the counter 42 of the shoe 20 and her ankle so that the body 12 of the device 10 rests against the heel 18 of the shoe 20 as shown in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A device for protecting a heel of a shoe, comprising:

a body including an upper end and a lower end;

a flexible material positioned along a portion of an outer edge of the body; and

an attachment mechanism positioned at the upper end of the body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is positioned within a channel along the portion of the outer edge of the body and wherein the attachment mechanism comprises first and second portions of the flexible material extending from the channel at the upper end of the body.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the portion of the outer edge of the body is folded and stitched to form the channel.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the channel is formed by attaching a tubular material to the outer edge of the body.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the flexible material comprises one of a string, a cord, and a ribbon.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises an elastic material that is secured to the portion of the outer edge of the body.

7. A device for protecting a heel of a shoe of a user comprising:

a body including a channel along a portion of an outer edge; and

a flexible material positioned within the channel, wherein a length of the flexible material is greater than the length of the channel.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein first and second portions of the flexible material extend out of the channel at an upper end of the body.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the flexible material comprises one of a string, a cord, and a ribbon.

10. A method for protecting a heel of a shoe of a user, wherein the heel extends between a heel tip and a counter of the shoe, comprising:

providing a device comprising: a body including an upper end and a lower end; a flexible material positioned along a portion of an outer edge of the body; and an attachment mechanism positioned at the upper end of the body;

positioning the lower end of the body about the heel tip of the shoe;

positioning the upper end of the body adjacent to the counter of the shoe;

attaching the upper attachment mechanism to one of the counter of the shoe and an ankle of the user so that the body of the device rests against the heel of the shoe.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the body includes a channel along the portion of the outer edge, wherein the flexible material is positioned within the channel, and wherein the attachment mechanism comprises first and second portions of the flexible material extending from the channel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attaching the upper attachment mechanism to one of the counter of the shoe and an ankle of the user comprises tying the first and second portions of the flexible material around an ankle of the user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the flexible material comprises an elastic band secured along a portion of the periphery of the body.