Heel stabilizer for footwear

Abstract

A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to footwear, and more specifically to a heel motion stabilizer for footwear having features that improve comfort and performance for the wearer during standing, walking, running, and other activities in which footwear is used.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Footwear of all types and sizes are known to slip in the heels. Typically, there are two types of motion, up and down, and side-to-side. The resulting rubbing of the wearer's heels against the footwear is therefore a common problem, causing discomfort for the wearer and sometimes even painful blisters, bruises, or other injuries. The problem is particularly acute in the case of men's and women's dress shoes. Additionally, and in the case of footwear used for athletic activities, such as ski boots, heel slippage may not only result in pain and discomfort, but also in a loss of control for the wearer, thereby reducing the performance level of the footwear.[0003]Various products ex...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a heel stabilizer for footwear that “grips” the wearer's heel at the medial and lateral surfaces of the heel, thereby providing reduced up and down and side-to-side movement without pain or discomfort. The prior art solutions to heels rubbing against footwear primarily focused on the top part of the heel near the top of the center back counter of the footwear, where the rubbing often occurs against the Achilles tendon of the wearer. However, because those products do not properly focus on reducing heel movement, they simply don't work, and may result in more rubbing and therefore more discomfort.

[0005]We have discovered that the true cause of the problem typically lies in the movement of the bottom portion of the heel within the footwear. This movement may result from a variety of causes including, for example, the footwear's design and / or its fit, the size and / or shape of the wearer's foot, or a combination of these and similar issues. Thus, the heel stabilizer disclosed herein primarily reduces movement of the bottom portion of the heel, preferably by stabilizing a narrower portion of the heel. By “gripping” the heel at the medial and lateral surfaces, and particularly at a location above the widest part of the heel, overall heel movement is more effectively reduced or eliminated, as is the resulting rubbing of the heel against the footwear and the accompanying pain and discomfort.

[0008]In another embodiment, the heel stabilizer may be manufactured as a separate article or articles that may be inserted into footwear during footwear manufacturing. Thus, the first and second portions or parts of the stabilizer insert may protrude from a common backing which may be inserted into footwear so that when the footwear is worn, the first and second portions or parts are adjacent to and in direct or indirect contact with the medial and lateral surfaces of the wearer's heel, respectively. A variety of materials of differing flexibility, textures, and other characteristics may be used, depending on, for example, the type and design of the footwear, the wearer's individual foot, and the intended use of the footwear with which the insert will be used. Positioning the insert in the shoe is important. Accordingly, the portions or parts should include an adhesive to allow the stabilizer insert to be securely affixed in position to the inside of the footwear. The stabilizer insert may also include markings or other indicators to aid in properly aligning the insert within the footwear.

Problems solved by technology

However, because those products do not properly focus on reducing heel movement, they simply don't work, and may result in more rubbing and therefore more discomfort.

We have discovered that the true cause of the problem typically lies in the movement of the bottom portion of the heel within the footwear.

This movement may result from a variety of causes including, for example, the footwear's design and / or its fit, the size and / or shape of the wearer's foot, or a combination of these and similar issues.