AU2008203251A1

AU2008203251A1 - A protector for Shoe Heels and a Method for Protecting Shoe Heels

Info

Publication number: AU2008203251A1
Application number: AU2008203251A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lisa Campitelli; Alexander Evanov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-18
Publication date: 2009-02-05

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent A PRTOECTOR FOR SHOE HEELS AND A METHOD FOR PROTECTING SHOE HEELS The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me 00 A PROTECTOR FOR SHOE HEELS AND A METHOD FOR PROTECTING SHOE HEELS 00

_FIELD

The present invention relates to a protector for shoes heels and a Smethod for protecting shoe heels and in particular, a shoe heel protector that can 00 be adapted to fit various high heels.

BACKGROUND

Heels on shoes traditionally provide a functional role by supporting the foot while walking. The thickness of the heel increases the distance between the ground and the base of the foot, thereby acting as a shock absorber and reducing the impact of the foot on the ground while walking.

Traditionally in wet climates, high heels had the advantage of keeping feet dry when walking outside, elevated above wet pavements. They were also adopted by royalty to increase height thereby increasing stature, for members of the nobility.

In modern times, the heels on women's shoes are elevated to perform an aesthetic role, by increasing the height of a wearer and thereby making legs look thinner. The popularity of elevated heels has meant that the majority of modern styles of women's shoes have heel from one inch to six inches or higher 00 on platform shoes. Generally low heels are less than 2.5 inches, mid heels are

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to 3.5 inches, and high heel are taller than 3.5 inches.

Heel shapes include wedges (where the heel forms a continuous block 00 under the sole footprint), blocks (having a quadrangular cross section), blades (having cross section like a sword), Louis heels (concave heels), spool heels N (wider on the top and bottom than the centre), tapered heels (wider at the top than the base), stilettos (tall and thin with circular cross section), Sabrinas 00 (shorter stiletto), and kittens (2 inch stiletto).

Each season produces different trends in heights, thicknesses, and materials, such that trends dictate the types of heels available. For instance kitten heels are in the order of two inches high and approximately one cm thickness, whereas stilettos have the same diameter but approximately four (4) inches in height. Block heels are usually a 2cm x 2cm square cross section or a 1cm x 2cm rectangle. The height of block heels usually ranges from three (3) inches to six inches. There are many more variations, depending on the trend.

Further, heels can either be formed from wood, cork, metal or plastic and may include the shoe covering, for instance leather, fabric, or suede, stretched over a hidden base. Thus heels can be covered to match the body of the shoe, or may be formed from a decorative material such as polished metal, metallic covering, or acrylic.

The problem with decorative heels, is that they can be easily damaged in use. For example water, mud or ice can ruin suede and leather heels. Also 00 scratching the heel against abrasive surfaces can cause cut, rips, tears and C)scratches. This can dramatically change the appearance of the shoes, especially Z if a covering is scratched and the base is a different colour.

oO 0Since shoes change with the seasons, and year by year, they tend to be irreplaceable and heels are often unrepairable once damaged. This ruins the c appearance and thereby the usage of the shoe, especially if damage occurred on C)the first use. As shoes are a fashion accessory, it is important to protect the 00 oO Saesthetic appearance while allowing the function to continue unimpeded.

There have been attempts to overcome this problem, especially since the 1980s where heel shapes started to change. But the problem of different heel shapes and sizes has proven difficult to overcome, as found in patent US5,044,097. Additionally previous solutions are noticeable and interfere or change the original look of the shoe, as in patents US 5,357,694, and US 4,498,252.

Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a shoe heel protector, or method of protecting a shoe heel or overcome any of the abovementioned problems or at least provides the consumer with a useful commercial alternative.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to a broad form of the invention, there is provided a disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes having a cross section and shaft portion, comprising: 00 00 00

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an elongate tube having a first opening adapted to receive a the cross section of a shoe heel, a sleeve portion adapted to enclose the shoe heel along the elongate axis of the shaft to a required length and a second opening adjustable to fit the shoe heel substantially close to the ground, wherein the tube is adapted to mould to the shape of the shoe heel.

Preferably the tube is moulded to the shape of the shoe heel by the application of heat.

Preferably the tube is made from a thermosetting plastic.

Alternatively the tube could be moulded to shape of the shoe heel by adjusting an adhesive portion on the tube.

Alternatively the tube could be fit around the shoe heel using a clasp.

Preferably, the adjustment means will not damage the shoe heel.

Preferably, the tube can be removed by cutting the sleeve.

Preferably the second opening can be cut to adjust the length of the high heel.

Alternatively a variety of sleeve lengths can be provided.

Alternatively the sleeve can be bent to the required length.

Preferably, the shoe heel will be maintained in its original condition when the sleeve is removed.

Preferably the tube is opaque, so that the tube looks invisible over the heel.

Alternatively the tube is black to blend in with a black heel.

00 Alternatively the shoe heel protector could be provided in a variety of 0 Scolours to suit different coloured shoes.

Z According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a 00 method for protecting the heel of a shoe heel having a heel cross section and shaft portion comprising the steps of: c providing an adjustable protective sleeve; N inserting the shoe heel cross section into a first opening of the sleeve; 00 Sadjusting the sleeve to length to fit the shoe heel shaft as required; and adjusting the fit of the sleeve around the shoe heel cross section.

Preferably the protective sleeve length is adjusted by cutting the sleeve to the required size.

Preferably the protective sleeve is heat moulded to fit the shaft of the shoe heel.

Alternatively the tube could be fit around the shoe heel using an adjustable clasp.

Preferably the protective sleeve is removable by cutting the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in reference to the following drawings in which: 00 FIG 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention.

SFIG 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the Sinvention.

00 0FIG 3 shows an isometric view of the invention encircling a high heel of a shoe.

(Ni FIG 4 shows an isometric view of the invention moulded to the high heel of a shoe.

00 SFIG 5 shows the steps of a method for protecting shoe heels.

DESCRIPTION

As can be seen in FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 3 the invention is a disposable shoe heel protector to be used on shoe heel having a cross section and shaft portion. The cross sections of shoe heels vary in shape and size, as do the lengths of the shaft portions. Some shoe heels are tapering having a wider top section and thinner base, others have uniform cross sections throughout, and others vary throughout the heel shaft.

The disposable shoe heel protector (10) consists of an elongate tube having a first opening (20) and a second opening (30) and a sleeve portion The first opening (20) is adapted to receive the cross section of a shoe heel.

Thus the opening must be large enough to accept the uppermost desired position of a shoe heel. Additionally, the opening must not cause damage to the heel when it is accepted therein.

00 The sleeve portion (40) is adapted to enclose the shoe heel along the Selongate axis of the shaft to a required length, as shown in FIG 3. There is no universal length of a shoe heel, it changes depending on the style of the heel.

00 Thus the sleeve needs to be adjustable to accommodate different heel heights.

The sleeve length is adjusted by cutting it to length to accommodate the c particular shoe heel. Thus the sleeve can be customised to each shoe. Thus the Ssecond opening is adjustable to fit the heel substantially close to the ground.

00 oO SAlternatively a variety of sleeve lengths can be provided for the consumer to choose the best fit.

Alternatively the sleeve can be bent to the required length, with the excess folded over. While this provides a second layer of protection, it may be too obtrusive and noticeable, depending on the shoe.

The shoe heel protector (10) is adapted to mould to the shape of the heel, as shown in FIG 3. The tube is made from thermosetting plastic and thus can be moulded to the shape of the shoe heel below the counter In one embodiment this is achieved by the application of heat, using a hair dryer held close to the sleeve while it envelopes the heel. Other heating devices such as a butane torch, lighter, or such could be used to provide heat, as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. The temperature range for melting a fluropolymer thermosetting plastic in the preferred embodiment would be 1100C to 130 oC. FIG 3 shows the shoe heel protector (10) surrounding the shoe heel before heat has been applied. FIG 4 shows the heel protector on the same 00 shoe heel (70) after heating, where it is moulded to the shape of the shoe heel 0 The advantage of this method is that it can accommodate decorative 00 heels that have varying cross sections, or numerous heel cross sections and can provide a tight fit, determined by the shrinkage of the plastic sleeve.

N Other adjustment means could be employed, such as having a strip of adhesive (50) (similar to a post-it note) where the fit around the heel shaft is 00 adjusted by the positioning of the adhesive. This embodiment is shown in FIG 2.

Alternatively a number of adjustable clasps can be used to adjust the fit of the sleeve around the heel shaft.

The tube (10) can be removed by cutting the sleeve, this allows new sleeves to be applied, when the original is damaged or scuffed. This is advantageous because the disposable tubes are meant to be unobtrusive and easy to use, so that fresh tubes can be applied to keep the heel in it's original condition for as long as possible.

Another advantage is that when the heel is scratched, scraped or otherwise damaged, the tube takes the damage sacrificially, protecting the covered heel.

The tube (10) is provided in an opaque colour so that it blends into the colour of the heel it is protecting. This allows the heel to be protected without compromising the design and aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Other colours could be provided to blend with single colour heels, as required, for instance black which is the most common colour for shoe heels.

00 FIG 5 sets out the steps involved in a method for protecting the heel of 0 0 a shoe heel. The steps include: providing an adjustable protective sleeve; Z inserting the heel cross section into a first opening of the sleeve; adjusting the 00 sleeve to length to fit the shoe heel shaft as required; and adjusting the fit of the sleeve around the heel cross section.

c(N It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that numerous Smodifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the 00 above teachings. It is therefore understood the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

2. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 wherein the tube is moulded to the shape of the shoe heel by the application of heat.
3. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 wherein the tube is moulded to the shape of the shoe heel by adhesive means.
4. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 wherein the tube is elastic and moulded to the shape of the shoe when pulled on. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 wherein the tube is elastic and moulded to the shape of the shoe by a clasp means.
6. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 wherein the tube is made from a thermosetting plastic. 00 7. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of 0 0 claim 6 wherein the thermosetting plastic is heated to a temperature range of Z 105 0 C to150 0 C. 00
8. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 6 wherein the thermosetting plastic is a fluoropolymer. N 9. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of 0 claim 1 to 8 wherein the tube can be removed by cutting the sleeve. 00 The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 to 9 wherein the second opening can be cut to adjust the length of the high heel.
11. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 to 10 wherein a variety of sleeve lengths are provided for the best fit to be used.
12. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 to 10 wherein the sleeve can be bent to the required length.
13. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 to 12 wherein the tube is opaque.
14. The disposable heel protector of claims 1 to 12 wherein the tube is black.
15. The disposable heel protector to be used on high heel shoes of claim 1 to 12 wherein the tube is the same colour as the heel.
16. A method for protecting heel of high heel shoes having a variable or continuous cross section and shaft portion comprising the steps of: 00 providing an adjustable protective sleeve; Sinserting the shoe heel cross section into a first opening of the sleeve; adjusting the sleeve to length to fit the shoe heel shaft height as 00 required; and adjusting the fit of the sleeve around the shoe heel cross section. N 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the protective sleeve length is 0 adjusted by cutting the sleeve to the required size. oO 00 S18. The method of claim 17 wherein the protective sleeve is heat moulded to fit the shaft of the shoe heel.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the tube is moulded to the shape of the shoe heel by adjusting an adhesive portion on the tube. The method of claim 16 wherein the tube is fit around the shoe heel using an adjustable clasp.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein the protective sleeve is removable by cutting the sleeve from the heel. DATED this 17 th day of July 2007 By his Patent Attorney RAMSDEN FAES LAWYERS