US20150128457A1

US20150128457A1 - Protective Heel Enclosure Device

Info

Publication number: US20150128457A1
Application number: US14/242,375
Authority: US
Inventors: Denise Wright; Robert O'Dell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-11
Filing date: 2014-04-01
Publication date: 2015-05-14

Abstract

Provided is a protective heel enclosure device that is adapted to prevent the back of the footwear from becoming scuffed or damaged while worn by a user. The footwear protector includes a sleeve having an upper and an elongated heel portion extending downward therefrom. The upper portion of the sleeve includes a zipper, which facilitates the opening of the upper portion of the sleeve. The heel portion of the sleeve includes a sole portion attached thereon, which provides traction so as to prevent skidding. The sleeve is constructed to fit snugly to the back and heel of the footwear. In this way, the protective heel enclosure device of the present invention will not tend to move or will only move relatively minimally against the footwear as it protects the back and heel of the footwear and prolongs the life of the same.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/902,515 filed on Nov. 11, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protective heel enclosure device for a footwear. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a covering for a heel portion of a footwear, and in a preferred embodiment a covering for a high-heeled footwear that that has an open forefoot portion. The heel enclosure device of the present invention is designed to fit over the heel and back portion of a footwear, thereby preventing scuffing and damaging of a footwear when resting it against a rough and uneven surface.
Footwear are great investment pieces to a wardrobe, and essential to a person's every day wear. Footwear, however, are prone to becoming easily damaged due to regular wear and direct contact with uneven, rough terrain. Even when a person does not walk often in a pair of footwear, many footwear become scuffed at the heels while resting on a surface, especially while sliding back and forth on the floorboard of a vehicle while driving. Accordingly, it is desirable to protect the back part of a footwear most likely to scuff or become damaged.
Care and maintenance, however, can extend the life of footwear. For instance, polishing helps mask scuffs and marks, enhances the color, and provides a protective layer from light rain to spills. Additionally, for worn heels, new heels pins may be replaced to prevent damaging of heels. These types of repairs, however, typically require a specialized expert or a professional shoe repairer to get them fixed, which can be costly and inconvenient.
The present invention is a protective heel enclosure device for a footwear that comprises a lightweight, but durable material which slips over a high-heeled footwear, wherein the device cups the entire back and heel portion of a footwear. The heel enclosure device includes a sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a curved upper and heel portion constructed to closely hug the back and heel portion of a footwear. The upper portion of the sleeve is constructed to cover the back part of a footwear most likely to scuff. The heel portion of the sleeve is elongated in shape so as to fit the heel portion of a footwear. The bottom of the heel portion includes a heel cap similar to the outsole disposed on the top lift of the footwear. The bottom of the heel portion is secured over the heel of the footwear so that the heel cap rests under the top lift. Thus, the sleeve acts as a barrier and the use of the present invention allows the back and heel portions of a footwear to remain free of scuff marks or scratch marks as a result of driving or resting footwear against a surface.
The present invention may be attached over a wide variety of shoes, providing flexibility and versatility to the user. Furthermore, the present invention may be easily attached or removed from a footwear via fastening means disposed on the upper portion of the sleeve. This prevents the need to forcibly insert the footwear into the sleeve when attaching the device, which may not only be difficult, but also compromise the shape of the footwear. Similarly, the fastening means allow for easy removal after use, resulting in heels without marks or tears.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to protective high-heeled enclosures designed to fit over a footwear. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these patents describe an overshoe for covering high-heeled footwear, wherein the overshoe includes an upper compartment, a forefoot region, a flexible outsole, and a zipper. Another patent describes a form fitting high-heeled footwear cover that is made of waterproof expandable elastic rubber. These devices, however, fail to disclose an ankle covering section that is closed via a zipper. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. For example, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2013/0180127 to Haslam discloses an overshoe for various footwear. The overshoe comprises an upper compartment, a forefoot region, a high region, a flexible outsole, and a zipper disposed on the back of the overshoe. The upper compartment is configured to receive the footwear. The forefoot region is configured to receiving the forefoot of the footwear, and the heel region is configured for receiving the heel of the footwear. The heel region may further include an integrated support structure.
Similarly, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2009/0126223 to Metzger discloses a shoe cover for high-heeled shoes comprising a water proof expandable elastic rubber or other flexible material in a shape of a high-heeled footwear. The body of the cover includes an expandable form fitting front portion, two expandable form fitting lateral side portions, a form fitting back portion, a slip-resistant textured form fitting underside portion, a reinforced rim portion, and an expandable form fitting elongate heel portion.
Another similar device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2011/0072691 to Greer discloses a protective cover for a footwear. The protective cover includes a unitary body including a toe portion, a vamp portion, a quarter portion, a heel portion, and a throat portion. The body is formed from a multi-layer film including an outer layer that includes a first frictional property, an intermediate layer that is compliant, and an inner layer that includes a second frictional property, wherein each layer is water-resistant and the first frictional property is greater than the frictional anti-slip property.
While Haslam, Metzger, and Greer disclose devices that protects a high-heeled footwear from various elements, these devices require a user to insert an entire footwear therein. Accordingly, these devices have limited use in that these devices may not accommodate footwear with embellished forefoot region. In contrast, the present invention includes an open forefoot region that is constructed to receive footwear of various styles and design. In this way, the present invention is design to increase the versatility of the heel protector by providing one that can be utilized with a number of different styles and designs of a footwear.
Another device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2013/0097893 to Rabinovitch discloses a reusable, decorative, form fitting footwear cover for women's open back heel sandal shoes. The cover comprises a continuous body made of stretchable material, wherein the body further comprises two openings adapted to receive a heeled portion of a footwear. Though the footwear cover disclosed in Rabinovitch enables a footwear to maintain its front and side structure and design of a footwear by only covering its heel portion, Rabinovitch does not disclose a sole that can provide traction when walking. Rather, Rabinovitch discloses an opening for a top lift that allows the bottom-most part of a heel of the footwear to be exposed therethrough. In contrast, the present invention includes a rubber portion on the heel to protect the footwear from slipping. In this way, the rubber portion mimics soles of most shoes while creating a buffer between the footwear and its surrounding environment.
Yet another device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2009/0229148 to Giacoppo discloses a footwear protector that include a body member, wherein the body member comprise an open top end, a foot portion, and a heel portion, and at least one tightening member coupled to the body member. Alternatively, the footwear protector may automatically conform to the individual heel of the footwear. The heel portion may have an opening to allow the heel of the footwear to fit therethrough. While the footwear protector disclosed in Giacoppo is adapted to slip onto a footwear through the open top end disposed on the body member, the Giacoppo device does not disclose a zipper, which can extend from the top of the cover down toward the heel region of the cover. The present invention provides a zipper that can provide a wide opening for a user to insert the footwear therein. In this way, the present invention provides convenience to the user by eliminating the need to insert the footwear through a tight opening or modifying the structure and the shape of the footwear.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,704 to March discloses a disposable, elastic footwear cover for protecting shoes against inclement weather conditions and sharp or abrasive objects. Unlike the present invention, the elastic footwear cover is designed to be worn for a relatively short period of time and then disposed. The elasticity of the material allows the footwear cover to hug the footwear to minimize slipping between the footwear and the footwear cover. The footwear cover has a front portion, a rear portion, and a sole portion. The footwear cover can be pulled onto a footwear or may be in part unrolled directly onto the footwear. While the device disclosed in March protects shoes from various elements, the device does not conform to the shape of the footwear therein. In this regard, the bottom portion of the device in March runs straight along the bottom of the footwear and does not conform to the heel of the footwear, as in case of high-heeled shoes. The present invention is a reusable heel protector that is constructed to conform to the shape of the footwear attached thereon. The design of the present invention does not encumber or interfere with the normal gait of the user when walking, thereby providing safety to the user.
The present invention is adapted to provide a protective heel enclosure that is not limited by the shape or design of the footwear being attached thereonto, including footwear with various types of heels and embellishments disposed on the forefoot portion of the footwear. The fastening mechanism of the sleeve improves ease by allowing a user to wrap the sleeve around the footwear, while the shape and size of the sleeve prevent interference with the normal gait of the user. The present invention provides flexibility and improves versatility to the user by providing a protective heel enclosure device that can be utilized with a number of different footwear, and further one that provides enclosure that is easily removable.
It is therefore submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art devices, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing protective heel enclosure devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of protective cover devices for a footwear now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new improvement to protective heel enclosure device wherein the same can be utilized for preventing heels of a footwear from becoming scuffed or damaged.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved protective heel enclosure device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective heel enclosure device that conforms to the shape of the footwear therein, reducing trip hazards and reducing interference with the normal gait of a user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective heel enclosure device that has an open forefoot portion, which enables a footwear to maintain its front and side structure and design of a footwear.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective heel enclosure device that has a zipper opening for simple installation and removal, thereby providing convenience to a user.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective heel enclosure device that has a rubberized sole for an added traction when the device is in use.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective heel enclosure device that is reusable and durable, thereby providing an affordable and effective way to protect a user's footwear.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows perspective views of a pair of protective heel enclosure device of the present invention when not in use.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention in its open state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the protective heel enclosure device in place on a relatively high-heeled footwear.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the present invention as worn by a user over a high-heeled footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. The use of phantom or broken lines is for illustrative purposes and elements represented thereby are not intended as required elements of the claimed invention. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the protective heel enclosure device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for preventing heels of a footwear from becoming scuffed or damaged and extending the life of the footwear. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of a pair of protective heel enclosure device of the present invention. The heel enclosure device comprise a sleeve 20 having an inner surface 22 that is coextensive with an outer surface 21. The sleeve 20 is made from a stretchable and durable material, such as neoprene, which conforms elastically over the surface of the footwear on which it is placed. The sleeve 20 is of a size and shape to hug relatively close to a back and heel portion of a footwear so that the inner surface 22 of the sleeve 20 directly contacts the surface of the back and heel portion of the footwear when the sleeve 20 is positioned thereon.
The sleeve 20 further comprises an upper portion and an elongated heel portion extending downward therefrom, wherein each portion includes an opening. The upper portion includes an upper opening along an upper edge 30, which is substantially round in shape in its operating state and dimensioned to wrap around a user's ankle and a back portion of a footwear so that it is adapted to receive the user's ankle and the footwear inserted therein. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 comprises two terminal ends 26, 27, wherein the two terminal ends 26, 27 are joined via fastening means such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener, or the like. The fastening means may be disposed on the side of the sleeve corresponding to the inner side of the footwear on which it is placed. However, the fastening means may be disposed on the back part of the sleeve 20, the front part of the sleeve 20, or the side corresponding to the outer side of the footwear on which it is placed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening mean comprises a vertically aligned zipper assembly, which may be water-resistant. As such, each terminal ends 26, 27 comprises a zipper chain 29, 25, respectively, wherein each zipper chain 29, 25 includes a top stop adapted to maintain a zipper slider 24 on the outer surface 21 of the sleeve 20. One zipper chain may further include a retainer box, and another zipper chain may further include an insertion pin adapted to connect to the retainer box. The zipper slider 24 is adapted to bring the chains 25, 29 together or separate the chains 25, 29.
When the zipper slider 24 separates the zipper chains 25, 29, the two terminal ends 26, 27 separates to expose the inner surface 22 of the sleeve 20 and whereafter the upper portion of the sleeve 20 flaps open. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 may thereafter be wrapped around the back portion of a footwear, which eliminates the need to forcibly insert a footwear into the sleeve 20 that could cause damage to the footwear. When the upper portion of the sleeve 20 is properly positioned over the back of the footwear, the terminal ends 26, 27 may be fastened together to securely hold the footwear therein. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 is further constructed to conform to the shape and size of the back of the footwear as well as the foot and ankle of the user.
The elongated heel portion includes a lower opening along a lower edge 31, which is adapted to receive the heel and top lift portion of the footwear. The lower opening forms a modified loop that extends downward from the upper portion to the bottom portion 28, thereby exposing the heel seat of the footwear. The elongated heel portion of the sleeve 20 may be shaped substantially the same as the shape and size of the heel of the footwear so that the heel portion fits the length and width of the heel of the footwear. The sleeve 20, however, is stretchable so that it need not be exactly the same in shape and size as the heel of the footwear. The heel portion also comprises the bottom portion 28 and a heel cap 23 disposed thereon. The heel cap 23 may comprise rubber or other suitable material generally used for a heel cap, such as plastic and other petrochemical-derived materials. The heel cap 23 is adapted to come in direct contact with the ground when the device is in use so as to provide traction and prevent a user from slipping when wearing the device.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of the protective heel enclosure device in place on a relatively high-heeled footwear 32. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 is adapted to open via zipper assembly disposed between terminal ends 26, 27 and wrap around the back portion of the footwear 32. In this way, the back portion of the footwear 32 directly contacts the inner surface 22 of the sleeve 20 and the footwear is protected from directly rubbing against a surface, which may cause damage or scuff marks. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 is further constructed so that the forefoot portion of the footwear 32 is not enclosed in the sleeve 20. Accordingly, a user can wear the present invention over footwear having various designs without compromising the shape or the three-dimensional applique and embroidery embellishment such as bows, feathers, or crystals disposed on the front portion of the footwear.
The heeled portion of the sleeve 20 snugly covers the back surface of the heel of a footwear, which may comprise various lengths. When in use, the heel portion of the sleeve 20 may be stretched, thereby hugging closer over the heel portion of the footwear through the entire length of the same, and therefore maintained on the heel portion with a tight fit. This prevents from gapping or loosening its hold on the heel of the footwear at any part thereof. As the heel portion is stretched across the heel portion, the heel and the heel portion are aligned and inserted therein. The bottom portion 28 is then hooked to the top lift of the footwear and the bottom portion 28 rests directly against the top lift of the footwear so that the heel cap 23 is positioned directly under the top lift of the footwear. Furthermore, the heel portion of the sleeve 20 is constructed so that the heel seat of the footwear is exposed through the lower opening disposed along the lower edge 31. In this way, the user can wear the present invention over footwear having various types of heels, or differently dimensioned heel seat.
The protective heel enclosure device of the present invention may be used with a variety of footwear and various types of heels. For instance, the present invention is adapted for use with a pair of boots, which comprise a shaft that extend up the leg. The shaft of the boot can pass through the upper opening along the upper edge 30 and lower opening along the lower edge 31 disposed on the upper portion of the sleeve 20. The present invention may also be compatible with wedge heels, wherein the outsole is in the form of a wedge so that one piece of material serves as both the outsole and the heel. The heel portion of the sleeve 20 may be hooked to the back of the wedge and secured thereon, thereby covering the back of the footwear and protecting the same.
Once affixed, the sleeve 20 is securely constrained to the footwear, resisting separation or relative sliding during use. This allows the sleeve 20 to act as a barrier to the footwear as the back of the footwear slides back and forth on a surface, such as the floorboard of a vehicle while driving. The sleeve 20 does not detract greatly from the appearance of the footwear as it may be designed to blend in with the footwear or may comprise various colors and designs to suit the aesthetic appearance or the style of the footwear. When the device is no longer needed, it may be removed and stored without any inconvenience to the user.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of the sleeve 20 of the present invention as placed over a high-heeled footwear 32 as worn by a user. The upper portion of the sleeve 20 is adapted to wrap around the top of a user's foot and a user's ankle bone, following the contour of the footwear 32 and the user's foot and ankle. Accordingly, the sleeve 20 rests flushly against the user's foot and ankle, and the lower edge 31 crosses laterally over the top part of the foot while the upper edge 30 wraps around the ankle. The elongated heel portion of the sleeve 20 extends downward from the lower edge 31 toward the top lift of the footwear 32, whereafter the bottom portion 28 is hooked thereunder so as to align the heel cap 23 directly under the top lift of the footwear 32.
After being positioned in place, the sleeve 20 fully covers the back and the heel of the footwear 32, so that the outer surface 21 of the sleeve 20 acts as a barrier against a rough or uneven surface. The sleeve 20 fits relatively securely to the footwear 32, and therefore, the sleeve 20 will not tend to move or will only move relatively minimally against the footwear 32 as it is worn so that it will not excessively rub against the footwear 32. Also, the relatively close fitting of the sleeve 20 to the footwear 32 minimizes slipping between the footwear 32 and the sleeve 20, and thus minimizes trip hazards and reduces interference with the normal gait of a user.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A protective heel enclosure device for a footwear, comprising:

a stretchable sleeve having an openably attached upper portion and an elongated heel portion;

wherein said upper portion comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, said top edge and a bottom edge each comprising an opening;

said upper portion adapted to receive the back portion of a footwear;

said upper portion adapted to conform to a user's foot and ankle;

said heel portion adapted to receive a heel portion of said footwear; and

a fastener disposed on said sleeve.

2. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said upper portion further comprises a first and second terminal end adapted to wrap around said back portion of said footwear.

3. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 2, wherein said first and second terminal ends are adapted to wrap around said user's foot and ankle.

4. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein

said upper portion further comprises a first and second terminal end adapted to wrap around said back portion of said footwear;

said fastener adapted to secure said first and second terminal end together around said footwear.

5. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a water-resistant zipper.

6. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, further comprising a heel cap disposed a bottom end of said heel portion.

7. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 6, wherein said heel cap comprises a rubber material.

8. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve comprises a neoprene material.

9. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is constructed to conform elastically over back portion and said heel portion of said footwear.

10. The protective heel enclosure device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is constructed to conform elastically over said user's foot and ankle.