EP2129251B1 - Comfortable high heel shoes - Google Patents

Description

Mid-high and high heels for women are known. They generally comprise a wear outsole (walking), a heel, one or more insoles, a soleplate (covering), a vamp and sometimes a rod, all connected together. The sole, so the set that is below the sole of the foot, has a double curvature, often reinforced by a cambrillon. Above the heel there is a slightly sloped rear region, then towards the middle, ie below the arc, a strongly inclined region and, towards the front, an almost flat and horizontal region. Middle or high heel shoes according to the state of the art have a major disadvantage. During prolonged wear one feels discomfort first and then undergoes pain and foot lesions. All this is caused by the strong push of the foot forward which is caused by the sliding of the foot on the slope of the sole below the bow and in the heel area.

The subject of the invention is a mid-high or high heel shoe with a new construction sole which retains the forward thrust of the foot and which dampens the shocks so as to increase comfort and protect the foot from injury. painful. The invention relates to all types of shoes, inserts and adhesive media.

• Les femmes gagnent en hauteur, leur silhouette et leurs mouvements deviennent plus élégants
• Elles ont plus de succès dans leur vie professionnelle et dans leur vie privée.

With low-heeled shoes, men and women are plantigrades. When women wear high-heeled shoes they adopt a digitigrade march. When ballerinas make spikes they become unguligrades. In each of the three cases the biomechanics of walking is different. Known high-heeled shoes have two major advantages over low-heeled shoes.

• Women gain height, their silhouette and their movements become more elegant
• They are more successful in their professional lives and in their private lives.

The posture and walking of women wearing high-heeled shoes has been studied scientifically. The technical development of comfortable high-heeled shoes following biomechanical principles, however, found only limited interest. The known high-heeled shoes are mostly built according to artisanal prescriptions. Their shape and structure does not represent a functional optimum. Standing and running the comfort of these shoes is only guaranteed for a limited time only. Then they create regular discomfort and then pain.

We performed systematic measurements that show that for a woman of average weight (58 kg) who wears known shoes with high heels of 10 cm, the appearance of discomfort, then of intermittent pain and finally of permanent pain is a reproducible phenomenon. The discomfort appears after about 30 minutes, the intermittent pain after 60 to 80 minutes and the permanent pain after 100 to 120 minutes. Off, a large number of women have to stand and walk with high-heeled shoes for a time that is much longer than half an hour or an hour. Most women experience regular discomfort and then pain in their feet. Several inventors have sought technical solutions to improve comfort and reduce the pain of high-heeled shoes. We cite the following patents and patent applications:

Patent US2,465,817 , patented March 29, 1949. This invention of MA Perugia aims to make shoes with very high heels without using platform soles. The inventor obtains this result using a normally hard midsole whose thickness decreases from the middle to the front of the shoe. It superimposes a layer of convex bump-shaped filling material which is made of a material as hard as agglomerated cork and glued. At the back of this convexity is formed a hard bowl in which the metatarsals are lodged. A first disadvantage of this invention stems from the fact that the convexity (the boss) is made of a hard material. When walking, the foot bumps at each step against this convexity. After a while you feel pain and burning on the front of the sole of the foot. A second disadvantage is that the convex lump lasts for good circulation of blood in the forefoot. A third drawback is that the local pressure of the metatarsals in the bowl is very high. The local pressure is not reduced by the midsole so that callosities tend to develop. A fourth disadvantage is that there is no shock absorption in this bowl. Much of the weight of the body rests on the heads of the metatarsals. A compression shock is spreading at each step through the bones of the foot and leg to the spine. After a while the user may feel pain in the back.

Patent US2,862,313 , patented December 2, 1958. This invention by H. Jones aims to achieve insole inserts that provide better support to the forefoot. This support must locally reduce the concentration of pressure below the head of the first and fifth metatarsals. The result is obtained using two openings in the sole filled with elastic inserts that are below the heads of the first and fifth metatarsals. A third elastic insert is further back, in the region of the arc, or below the second, third and fourth metatarsal bone. Thus, with low heel shoes, a better comfort is obtained. The first disadvantages of this invention are when applied to mid-high or high heels. Pushing and forward motion of the foot are not stopped. We do not avoid discomfort, pain, lesions, etc. caused to the forefoot when it gets stuck in the upper. Another disadvantage is that these shoes do not avoid the movements of up and down of the foot and thus the overheating by friction of the sole of the foot under the heads of the metatarsals, and therefore the lesions and hard callosities that ensue.

US Patent 3,316,663 Patented May 2, 1967. This invention J. Neu relates to a support to be placed in the shoes, especially those with high heels, to prevent the foot slides forward. The insert-shaped support has a slightly concave slope and slightly rising forward for a distance of about 5 cm. At the front it ends in the shape of a transverse stop followed by a steep slope of about one cm. The support has the same elastic properties throughout its volume. It is placed in the shoes under the metatarsals. The effect of the slightly concave slope is to reduce the thrust in front of the foot. The support fulfills its function with flat shoes and mid-high heels. It is also useful when the size of the shoe is somewhat too big. A first disadvantage of this support appears with shoes with high heels. Slowly rising slope is not enough to hold the push forward of the foot. Discomfort and pains in the forefoot are no longer avoided. A second disadvantage also occurs with high heel shoes when walking for a prolonged period of time. The cushioning below the heads of the metatarsals is no longer sufficient to ensure optimal comfort. A third disadvantage is that the toes are lodged lower than the metatarsals. This position of the toes hinders the blood circulation, especially if the material of the steep slope of the support is not very soft. A fourth disadvantage is aesthetic in nature when the support is used with open shoes such as sandals. When we look at the side, we see the support whose color is usually not the same as that of the shoe.

Patent application WO 89/06502 published July 27, 1989 . This invention of H. Dananberg relates to a mid-high or high heel shoe whose shape prevents the foot from sliding forward and jamming in the upper, see the following patent application.

Patent application US5782015 published on July 21, 1998 . This invention by H. Dananberg relates to a mid-high or high heel shoe whose shape prevents the foot from sliding forward and jamming in the upper. The shoe has, for the front, middle and rear of the insole, longitudinal inclination angles that are different from those used so far. When a user is standing, without much walking, these shoes have improved comfort. A first disadvantage of these shoes is that, when in motion, they only partially remove the movements of the foot, and thus the overheating by friction of the sole of the foot under the heads of the metatarsals. A second disadvantage is that they do not attenuate the shocks that propagate from the metatarsal heads through the bones of the feet and legs to the joints of the knees, hips and spine. A third drawback is that the invention adapts badly to heels more than 8 cm in height. A fourth drawback arises from the fact that the front part is inclined upwards which gives the shoes according to the invention an unsightly appearance.

Patent application JP2002262902 published on September 17, 2002 . This invention of T. Okimoto relates to an insole for high heel shoes that improves lateral stability. The sole, in its front part, is padded on those sides with a thick wall part that stabilizes the foot against rolling movements. When a user walks on a cross slope or on uneven ground these insoles give him improved support. A first disadvantage of these soles is that, in high heel shoes, they do not stop the push of the foot forward. The discomfort and pains of the forefoot are not reduced. A second disadvantage is that walking these soles do not reduce the movements of up and down the foot and thus overheating by friction of the sole of the foot under the heads of the metatarsals. A third disadvantage relates to the difficulty of putting on and taking off shoes equipped with soles according to the invention and a fourth drawback that in use the feet are cramped.

Patent application US2004025377 published on February 12, 2004 . This patent application by K. Brannon relates to inserts for shoes, especially for open sandals and shoes with high heels. The inserts are very thin, between 0.5 and 1.6 mm. According to the inventor, they prevent the foot from sliding forward, while being thin enough to avoid damage to the foot by friction in the upper. They include a bottom surface that is attached by adhesive to the sockliner. Their upper surface is made of a non-slip material, for example rubber, Neoprene ™, a plastic material, cork or leather, so as to cling to the foot. The inserts are placed through the inside of the shoe so that the metatarsals rest on it. With these inserts the forward thrust of the foot is retained solely by the shear force between the skin covering the heads of the metatarsals and the upper non-slip surface of the insert. These inserts work when the user is standing, preferably barefoot in shoes with mid heels and it works little. In this case the stationary thrust of the feet forward is retained by the inserts. A first disadvantage is when using these inserts with high heel shoes. When walking, the non-slip material is no longer sufficient to retain the push forward of the foot. The toes get stuck in the vamp and start to hurt. A second disadvantage of these inserts occurs when walking continuously. At each step, the interface between the inserts and the skin is then heated locally by friction. The skin rises in temperature, becomes wet while undergoing repeated shear forces. This combined solicitation promotes the formation of callosities almost as much as with shoes without inserts. A third disadvantage of these inserts appears when wearing synthetic fiber stockings that slide on the skin. Only the stockings are then retained by the non-slip material of the inserts. Inside the bottom, the feet slide forward and the toes get stuck in the uppers just as if there were no inserts. A fourth disadvantage of these inserts is that they are not able to attenuate, on the fly, the shocks that propagate from the metatarsal heads through the feet and legs to the joints of the knees, hips and spine. .

The patent application US2004168353 published on September 2, 2004 . This invention by Mr. Bussler concerns a mid-high or high heel shoe whose upper is tightening around the heel and a detachable insole that encloses and holds the heel at the back of the shoe. The inventor further provides, arranged at specific locations of the insole, a plurality of cavities. According to the inventor, a combination of five special shapes prevents the foot from sliding towards the having. When the user is standing, without moving too much, these shoes should have improved comfort. A first disadvantage is that walking, the part of the vamp that tightens the heel, may rub on the skin and create red spots and finally blisters. A second disadvantage results from the plurality of cavities placed in the insole. They demand that the sole of the foot remains virtually immobile in the shoe. The wearing of a shoe in which the foot is immobilized becomes uncomfortable after a certain time. A third disadvantage is that it is not possible to make shoes open on the heel. A fourth disadvantage is that the insole has too many geometric elements to suit the slightly different shape of each foot. It is therefore necessary to provide for each size a whole assortment of insoles. This leads to an increase in the selling price of shoes.

Patent application WO2004 / 093584, published November 4, 2004 . This invention of HJ Dananberg discloses an insole that functions similarly to that of the shoe in the patent application. US5782015 by the same author, published on July 21, 1998. The sole can be mounted in shoes of conventional shape either in the factory or in the store. The sole has two very low hills, the first just in front of the calceneum bone and the second more forward, below the stems of the metatarsal bones. Under the heads of the metatarsals and towards the front of the shoe the sole according to the invention has no hill or valley, it is flat, homogeneous and thin. The sole reduces the strength, characteristic of high-heeled shoes, which pushes the foot forward. The disadvantages of the soles according to this invention are essentially the same as those of the shoes described in the application of US5782015 from the same author. In addition these insoles are insubstantial on open shoes.

FR 1351 722 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

1. (1) Debout et en marche, empêcher que l'avant pied est poussé en avant et se coince dans l'empeigne. Cela pour éviter une mauvaise circulation sanguine et puis des douleurs.
2. (2) Debout et en marche, éviter une compression répétitive et à terme une déformation des orteils.
3. (3) En marche, réduire le mouvement de va et viens de l'avant pied dans l'empeigne. Cela pour éviter une friction à répétition, des douleurs, des lésions de la peau et des cloques aux surfaces de contact.
4. (4) En marche, réduire les mouvements de va et viens de la plante du pied sur la semelle de propreté. Cela pour éviter la surchauffe par friction de la peau, notamment sous les têtes des métatarses et ensuite l'apparition de callosités.
5. (5) Debout et en marche, réduire la pression qui pèse sur les têtes des métatarses en distribuant le poids sur une plus grande surface de contact. Auxiliairement réduire également la pression qui pèse par moments sur le talon et sur les orteils.
6. (6) En marche sur sol dur, atténuer les chocs reçus par les têtes des métatarses qui sont propagés à travers les os du pied et de la jambe vers les articulations des genoux, des hanches et de la colonne vertébrale.
7. (7) Assurer au pied dans la chaussure une stabilité latérale adéquate. Permettre en même temps à l'avant pied de légers mouvements latéraux, nécessaires à un sentiment de confort.
8. (8) Assurer que la chaussure peut être portée confortablement pied nus ou avec des chaussettes ou des bas plus ou moins glissants.
9. (9) Permettre l'intégration d'une semelle de propreté avec des propriétés spéciales, telles qu'une évacuation rapide de la sueur, un effet antibactérien, etc.
10. (10) Permettre au pied d'entrer dans la chaussure et d'en sortir aussi facilement qu'avec une chaussure usuelle.
11. (11) Permettre la réalisation de chaussures à talons moyens ou hauts de tout type, avec des empeignes fermées, ouvertes ou à lanières, avec une tige basse ou haute ou encore avec une semelle compensée.
12. (12) Permettre la réalisation de chaque type de chaussure dans une forme d'exécution élégante.
13. (13) Garder les propriétés de confort amélioré pendant toute la durée d'utilisation des chaussures.
14. (14) Réalisable également avec des semelles à insertion et des supports adhésifs
15. (15) Au cas où cela était désiré, permettre la combinaison des chaussures avec une ou plusieurs des inventions selon d'autres demandes de brevets ou brevets.

The present invention relates to shoes with medium or high heels which make it possible to avoid all the disadvantages of the shoes described in the patents and patent applications mentioned above. The shoes according to the present invention aim at the following advantages:

1. (1) Standing and running, prevent the forefoot from being pushed forward and getting stuck in the upper. This to prevent poor blood circulation and then pain.
2. (2) Standing and running, avoid repetitive compression and eventually deformity of the toes.
3. (3) When running, reduce the movement of the forefoot in and out of the upper. This is to avoid repetitive friction, pain, skin lesions and blisters on the contact surfaces.
4. (4) While walking, reduce the movements of the toe and back of the sole on the insole. This to prevent overheating by friction of the skin, especially under the heads of the metatarsals and then the appearance of calluses.
5. (5) Standing and running, reduce the pressure on the heads of the metatarsals by distributing the weight over a larger surface area. Auxiliary also reduce the pressure that weighs at times on the heel and on the toes.
6. (6) When walking on hard ground, mitigate shocks received by metatarsal heads that are spread through the bones of the foot and leg to the joints of the knees, hips and spine.
7. (7) Ensure the foot in the shoe has adequate lateral stability. At the same time allow the forefoot slight lateral movements, necessary for a feeling of comfort.
8. (8) Ensure that the shoe can be comfortably worn barefoot or with more or less slippery socks or socks.
9. (9) Allow the integration of a sockliner with special properties, such as quick sweat evacuation, antibacterial effect, etc.
10. (10) Allow the foot to enter and exit the shoe as easily as with a standard shoe.
11. (11) Permitting the production of medium or high heels of any type, with closed, open or straped upper, with a low or high upper or with a compensated sole.
12. (12) Allow the realization of each type of shoe in an elegant form of execution.
13. (13) Keep the properties of comfort improved for the duration of use of the shoes.
14. (14) Also usable with inserts and adhesive mounts
15. (15) In case this was desired, allow the combination of the shoes with one or more of the inventions according to other patent applications or patents.

It is known that in a high-heeled shoe, the forefoot is pushed down and forward. The push down comes from the weight of the person. The forward thrust is from the sloping forward slope below the bow and under the heel of the foot. This thrust is at the root of virtually all the disadvantages of known high-heeled shoes. To achieve the 15 advantages mentioned above must first neutralize this horizontal thrust. We For a mid-high or high heel boot, neutralize forward thrust with innovative sole. This assembly according to the invention is provided with a transverse hill. The transverse hill is oriented weakly obliquely so as to be just behind the toes and in front of the heads of the five metatarsals. It must be firmly attached to the sole. The transverse hill is either permanently present or protrudes only during the elastic deformation of the sole under the weight of the foot. In both cases, we obtain a sloping slope towards the rear of the shoe on which the heads of the metatarsals just behind are butted. The slope holds them down and thus prevents the foot from sliding forward. It is necessary that the transverse hill has a height and inclination of its appropriate slopes. The transverse hill is made of an elastic or viscoelastic material which is not very compressible. Its elastic resistance must be sufficiently weak to deform under the forward thrust of the metatarsal heads. It cushioned the sudden shocks of the foot when walking on hard ground while returning each time to its original form. At the same time the elastic resistance of the transverse hill must remain high enough to transmit the said thrust forwards to the sole and to return each time to its original form. The incompressibility of the material means that the volume of the transverse hill remains constant when it is deformed by a forward thrust of the metatarsal heads. At the moment when a local indentation is formed the material produces a bead around it which increases the total contact area and thus reduces the local pressure. A cellular material such as rubber foam is highly compressible; it is therefore less useful for making a transverse hill. Soft compressible but soft elastomers with Shore 00 scale hardness of between about 20 and 60 are used. Optimum materials are Technogel ^™ 125 to 145 from Technogel Konigsee GmbH.

Behind the transverse hill, therefore under the heads of the metatarsals the boot according to the invention advantageously comprises a median cushion. It is approximately rectangular or rhomboidal in shape and must be firmly attached to the sole. Its thickness decreases towards the back edge. The median cushion is also made of a resilient material or viscoelastic little compressible, but it is softer than that of the transverse hill. The middle cushion supports most of the weight of the person. It is deformed locally under the vertical pressure exerted by the heads of the metatarsals. The incompressibility of the material means that its volume remains constant when it is deformed by this weight. The contact areas of the metatarsal heads are thus increased and the local pressure reduced. The median cushion also supports shear forces. When walking, it deforms at each step in a viscoelastic manner and thus damps the mechanical shocks coming from the contact of the shoe on the ground. In an alternative embodiment sometimes advantageous the median cushion is extended to also cover the rear part of the sole, the false flat heel included. Alternatively one can fix in a known manner a separate cushion in a bowl in the false flat heel, below the calcaneus. These alternative embodiments with an additional flexible surface at the back of the shoe are advantageous for users who stay upright for half days.

An improved embodiment of the high-heeled shoe according to the invention also has a front cushion of approximately semi-lunar shape. It is placed and fixed at the front of the transverse hill, so below the toes of the foot. When walking a brief pulse of pressure is transmitted at each step between the toes and the sole. The front cushion increases the contact areas between the toes and the sole. It decreases the local pressure and helps immobilize the foot. It also avoids a poor circulation of blood and makes the shoe according to the invention even more comfortable.

The middle and front cushions can be made in different ways. In the preferred embodiment, the cushions have a preformed, flexible, watertight and mechanically tensile envelope which encloses a viscoelastic gel, a viscous liquid, a suspension or a granule. Such cushions are deformable but not very compressible. When a local force is exerted by the foot, they yield progressively while keeping the same volume. They resume their original form as soon as the local force is removed. In a preformed and flexible envelope, a viscoelastic gel or granule can only move a short distance. Such cushions are preferred because they provide lateral and longitudinal stability to a foot that rests on their surface. A user may lift the other foot without losing balance and walking on uneven ground. In addition, such cushions resist the shear forces that come from the forward thrust of the foot and transmit them to the sole. Finally, when such cushions accidentally tear or wear, there is no liquid flowing.

In an alternative embodiment the cushions also have a flexible, tight and tensile-resistant casing but they are filled with a liquid or suspension of high viscosity. This embodiment allows the contents to move transversely and longitudinally from one edge of the cushion to the other. The disadvantage of this embodiment is a less good stability of the foot. Two median cushions could be provided, one to support the metatarsal head of the big toe and a second to support the heads of the other metatarsals. Another embodiment of the cushions utilizes a preformed, porous, flexible, and mechanical tensile shell that is filled with a granule. Such cushions allow sweat to escape through the entire surface of the soles of the feet. Shoes with such cushions are advantageous especially in warm climates. In a sometimes advantageous embodiment the median cushion with its mechanical tensile envelope is provided with a reinforcement, for example a plate below or a ring or a frame around. Such reinforcement makes it possible to take up the shear force exerted by the foot on the upper surface of the envelope. It becomes possible to better attach the cushion to the sole.

In a useful embodiment especially for shoes with open upper, the transverse hill, made of a viscoelastic material, is protruding permanently relative to the front of the sole. Without cushions, such an embodiment makes it possible to retain the forward thrust of the foot as long as the heel is mid-high. This embodiment is particularly useful for producing adhesive media according to the invention. A transverse hill provided with a reinforcement is then provided to be able to attach this adhesive support in a reversible manner to the sole assembly. Used together with a medial cushion and front, a protruding transverse hill, permanently attached to the sole, allows to retain the foot pressure even when the heel is high.

In a useful embodiment especially for shoes with closed upper is used a transverse hill, a middle cushion and a front cushion which all have the same thickness. When the shoe is empty, the entire front surface of the sole is then practically flat. This gives the advantage of being able to more easily put on and take off such closed shoes. It is enough to unload the foot of the body weight when one slips it in the shoe and likewise when one leaves it. The transverse hill only protrudes when the median cushion is loaded with body weight. It then yields elastically under the pressure of the metatarsal heads. The transverse hill, more rigid and less stressed in pressure than the median cushion, hardly deforms. It fills the space at the root of the toes and forms a stop that prevents the foot from sliding forward. The transverse hill, together with the medial cushion solicited by the weight of the forefoot, thus forms a structure that retains a major part of the forward thrust of the metatarsal heads.

The front part of the sole of a high-heeled shoe is practically flat and close to the horizontal. In this part the dimensioning of the elements according to the invention must, for each size, correspond to the anatomical shape of a corresponding average foot. The optimum dimensions for the transverse hill and the cushions must be chosen each time. The dimensions for a medium shoe size 38 with a high heel between 5 and 10 cm are as follows: The front cushion measures approximately 4 cm and the transverse hill approximately 2.3 cm in length of the shoe. The median cushion has a constant thickness over a length of about 4.2 cm and a gradually decreased thickness over an additional length of about 2.0 cm. There remains an upper sole not covered with the medial cushion which is still about 11.2 cm in length to the back of the heel.

It is advantageous to glue along the entire length of the sole, so on the front cushion, the transverse hill, the median cushion, the arc region and the heel region a flexible and traction-resistant insole. According to the invention the rear slope of the transverse hill forms a stop which retains a significant part of the thrust of the foot forward. The remaining part of the forward foot thrust must be held by the shear force between the sole of the foot and the sockliner. For this reason the sockliner must have, on its upper surface, a coefficient of average friction. It is advantageous that the coefficient of friction has a mean value. With a low coefficient of friction the push of the foot forward would not be fully restrained and the foot could slide over the transverse hill. With a very high coefficient of friction against it would become difficult to put on and take off the shoe. To prevent the sockliner from sliding forward gradually it should preferably be glued all over its lower surface. It is sometimes advantageous to interpose a net of tensile resistant fibers during the bonding of the insole. An advantageous embodiment provides a hydrophilic insole that is surface-structured and / or porous in volume. Made of woven or non-woven fabric or leather, it spreads moisture sideways to remove sweat from the soles of the feet. Such an airy outsole is useful in hot, humid weather and also when the body weight of the carrier is high.

With high heel shoes according to the invention we obtain the major advantage of eliminating the movements of longitudinal back and forth of the foot when walking. The foot is retained and no longer gets stuck at every step between the front part of the sole and the upper. This avoids repetitive friction of the foot on the vamp which causes abrasions of the skin. The advantage is also obtained that the forefoot remains free to perform small lateral movements. Standing up and running, the blood circulation in the forefoot is always good and you never feel cramped. In running the movement back and forth of the foot that creates the heat of friction between the heads of the metatarsals and the sole is virtually eliminated. The sole of the foot hardly heats and sweats less. Without frictional movements, with reduced pressure and a dry foot, the formation of hard and painful callosities under the sole of the foot is avoided. The comfort of high-heeled shoes is greatly improved. The shoe, equipped with a median cushion, also dampens the vertical shocks and forward when walking on hard ground. It protects the joints of the knees, hips and spine.

When wearing shoes according to the invention, the insole, the median cushion, the transverse hill and the front cushion are deformed reversibly under the weight of the body. The sole must therefore be constructed so that its internal rigidity remains adequate and that the anchors of the upper, the upper and the heel remain solid. In these shoes the rear of the sole, the upper, the upper, the outsole and the heel do not undergo any additional stress. Their durability is therefore equivalent to that of the usual shoes. By buying shoes, customers want to keep the possibility of replacing the outsole or heel with a shoemaker; this remains possible. The insole and the perimeter of the sole should look like the usual shoes and withstand wear. Stylists who design shoes according to the invention can give free rein to their creativity. They can adapt from year to year to changes in fashion so that they always remain elegant and varied.

Mid-high or high heel shoes according to the invention may be closed or open on their periphery. Boots, boots, pumps, etc. are closed shoes. Mules, sandals, etc. are open shoes on at least a part of the periphery. When the shoes according to the invention are closed their visual appearance is not modified compared to the usual shoes, except that the sole is thicker than a few millimeters. The transverse hill and the two cushions are easily lodged. When the shoes are open the visual aspect of the sole according to the invention must be taken into account. Indeed, with such shoes the transverse hill and the two cushions become visible on the edges which is not satisfactory from the aesthetic point of view. As an example, we describe two forms of execution that offer good aesthetics to open-toed shoes.

A first embodiment provides an insole flowing over its periphery which is folded and fixed on the edges of the sole so as to hide the transverse hill and cushions placed just below. In this embodiment we assemble that is to say glue and / or stitch the footbed, namely the insole, the transverse hill and the two cushions separately. The shoe is assembled separately, that is to say the bottom of the sole and the elements of the upper, for example straps. At the end we glue the pre-assembled plantar base in the shoe. The advantage of this first embodiment is that it allows to make the footbed according to the invention both solid, waterproof and aesthetically valid. They are mounted at the factory or delivered separately to the retail stores in the form of insert inserts to be glued on site.

A second embodiment provides shoes with mid-high heels or high with a sole provided with a rim on its front and side-front to form one or more bowls. In this or these bowls one houses the transverse hill and the cushions. They are thus both retained in place and hidden laterally. With a sole equipped with a rim it is possible to integrate the transverse hill and / or the cushions directly into the sole. In this embodiment, the bowl or bowls must be watertight downwards. They can then be used as receptacles for liquids, suspensions, preferably viscoelastic gels or a fluid soft granule. For example, two viscoelastic gels are used for an assembly with three cuvettes. The second bowl, the transverse hill, is filled to the brim with a medium viscoelastic hardness gel and the other two with a softer gel. Alternatively, a soft cork tongue is used to obtain the transverse hill function. In another simpler embodiment, a polymer sole is formed with two wells and a wide lateral transverse edge between the two which is used directly as a transverse hill. The front and middle cuvettes are filled with viscoelastic gel or soft granule to obtain both cushions. After filling, the three or both cuvettes are covered with a flexible, traction-resistant, flexible insole preferably having an upper surface with an average coefficient of friction. In addition, the insole must be frost-proof and cover each bowl around its circumference. To seal it on the cuvettes one can apply a welding tape on the rim. Another solution is to coat the bottom surface of the sockliner with a suitable adhesive and glue it to the edges. The insole thus fixed contains the gel of the transverse hill and the two cushions and at the same time forms the upper part of the footbed. The advantages obtained with shoes according to the invention provided with flanges in the soleing are sealing and good presentation of the aesthetic point of view. The flanges allow direct filling of the viscoelastic gels, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

We know the so-called mid-high or high heel shoes that have a thick midsole throughout the length. Wedge soles easily combine with a transverse hill and cushions. It is possible to manufacture compensated shoes according to the invention in all the embodiments described above. The main advantage of the compensated shoes according to the invention is a maximum height gain in combination with standing comfort and high running. These shoes allow small women, when addressing other people, to look at them without having to look up. Mid-high or high heeled wedge shoes are also durable and comfortable to wear, even when the floor is soaked in water or cold.

To identify the shoes according to the invention by a decoration, a mark and / or a logo can be placed a distinctive drawing. It is affixed advantageously on the visible part of the insole or in a protected area of the outsole. Known techniques of bulk dyeing, surface printing, stamping, etc. are used. on a polymer, leather, fabrics, etc. The advantage of a distinctive design is the rapid recognition of shoes, inserts, middle pads, adhesive mounts and straight transverse hills according to the invention. This facilitates the marketing and the work of the staff in the stores. At the same time, the customer is allowed to recognize and identify with the shoes according to the invention.

As examples, we describe four routes for manufacturing, distributing and selling shoes, inserts, middle pads and / or adhesive mounts according to the invention. In the first lane the shoes are fully assembled in the factory and the customers buy the finished product. In the second lane, clients buy pairs of shoes from the store and each time one or more pairs of insoles. In the third way, clients buy pairs of shoes and in addition one or more pairs of median cushions. In the fourth lane, customers buy pairs of adhesive mounts to stick on conventional shoes.

The first way goes through assembly, so gluing, welding, etc. definitive of the transverse hill, cushion (s) and sockliner during the manufacture of the shoe. This assembly route remains close to the usual methods. The main difference is that you first climb the hill and the cushions on the first mount. Then we assemble the upper using a shape that is the same as for usual shoes. You can also first assemble the shoe on the first mounting in the usual way. In this case, a shape having an additional height of a few millimeters is chosen to take into account the thickness of the footbed according to the invention. Sew, glue and / or mold the outsole and / or wear and the mid-high heel or high. At the end we slide and glue the footbed according to the invention inside pre-assembled shoe. The benefits of the first track are lower manufacturing, distribution and sales costs. The shoes are especially suitable for people who, in relation to the size of their feet, have an average body weight. From the point of view of design this first way is also advantageous because it allows to make shoes that leave all the freedom to the stylists.

The second way involves the manufacture of shoes in the factory and insole soles separately. The shoe assembly along the second lane resembles that of the first lane. A shape with an additional height of, for example, 5 to 10 millimeters is always used. The difference is that the sole according to the invention is set up later, at the store sale. The shoes include a sole, a high heel and a vamp. According to the embodiment of the insert insoles hold their shape or using an adhesive sheet. The arch of the upper is formed higher so that the insole can be attached to the stores without the foot being cramped. Insertion soles, which are plantar bases, are assembled at the factory. They include a front cushion, a transverse hill and a medial cushion that are attached end to end. These parts are attached to a sockliner that resists traction and thus to the force that pushes the transverse hill forward. They are supplemented by a second sole attached below which is covered, according to the embodiment, an adhesive sheet or a Velcro ™. All parts are assembled so that there are no side slits into which water or dust can enter. The factory delivers to sales stores a range of shoes in different styles, colors and sizes. The insoles are delivered in different sizes. For each size, soles are provided for, for example, three different body weights: One sole for people with a light weight, one for the average weight and one for the high weight. These three types of insert insoles incorporate transverse hills and cushions with viscoelastic properties each time adapted. When an insole is housed in a shoe it adheres or clings to the sole on a large surface. The shearing force that the sole must retain is thus low per unit area. The sole is not likely to move under the effect of the force of the heads of the metatarsals that push it forward. Fixing the insole is preferably reversible to allow its replacement at the store or at home in case it wears faster than the shoe. A first advantage of this second route concerns the manufacturing process. It is virtually identical to that for mid-high or high heel shoes. It is sufficient that the vault of the upper is a few millimeters higher. A second benefit is that we can best serve clients who have an average body weight. This requires having in stock, for each size, for example three types of insoles different insertion. A third advantage appears in hot, humid countries. It is then possible for clients to purchase multiple pairs of insoles for a single pair of shoes and replace them as soon as it becomes necessary.

The third way is through the manufacture of high-heeled or mid-high shoes with a front cushion and an incorporated transverse hill. In place of the median cushion they have an empty bowl in the sole. It is provided with an element which ensures the attachment of the median cushion by its shape, adhesion, Velcro ™ or otherwise. The assembly of these shoes is facilitated by the insertion of a temporary median cushion. The shape is then placed and the stem and the upper are mounted. At the end of the assembly, remove the shape and the temporary median cushion. This creates a bowl in the shoe whose dimensions are controlled. The final median cushion according to the invention is set up later at the store of sale. The factory also manufactures detached median cushions for the required number of sizes and, for example, each time in three different viscoelastic hardnesses: Soft cushions for light people, medium cushions for middleweights and cushions hard for high body weights. The median cushions detached are advantageously provided with a reinforcement that allows their attachment to the counterpart in the bowl of the shoe. The attachment is preferably reversible, the user can insert and detach at will at the store or at home. The benefits of the third lane appear in use by clients who have above average body weight and have to stand for long hours. They choose for their high-heeled shoes median cushions that ensure the best possible comfort. Median cushions are usually the most requested part. As soon as necessary the users can detach the worn cushions and replace them with new ones.

The fourth way involves the manufacture of separate adhesive media with transverse hills. These adhesive mounts are sold in-store to be fixed by the users on their usual mid-high heeled shoes. A first advantage of the fourth way is that users can improve the comfort of their usual shoes without spending too much extra. A second advantage is that they can join the transverse hills exactly to the place that corresponds to the shape of their feet.

From the biomechanical point of view, we have first studied conventional shoes with high heels and then shoes according to the invention. Our calculations and measurements show that for high heels of 10 cm the forward thrust reaches on average 25% of the weight that weighs on the foot. We consider a woman of 56 kg, so of a weight of 560 N (Newton), who walks quietly. The forward thrust of his feet therefore reaches at each step a force of 140 N. This force remains the same with usual shoes and with shoes according to the invention. With usual shoes it is the upper that holds the major part of the force that pushes the foot forward. This thrust wedges the forefoot (and toes) with each step in the cone that is formed between the front part of the sole and the upper. The opening angle of this cone is typically 30 °. In such a cone the pushing force is doubled. For a forward force of 140 Newton, the foot is pressed against the conical part with a force of about 280 N. The force with which the front of the foot is pressed in a usual shoe up against the vamp thus reaches at each step about 50% of the weight of the person. The force with which the forefoot is pressed down, so against the at least 100% of the weight of each step, because there is the load of about 50% of the weight of the person in addition. The remaining 50% of the weight of the person is supported by the rear part of the sole. This is the case for the usual shoes with high heel and also for the shoes according to the invention. On the run, with usual shoes, the skin at the top of the forefoot of a woman with an average weight of 56 kg is rubbed with each step back and forth against the upper with a force up to 280 N This explains the formation of blistered skin and blisters. With usual strappy shoes the consequences are often more serious. Alternatively, if the woman remains standing still, the front of the feet remains entangled with the same force in the upper. The force of 280 N is distributed over a surface area of about 70 cm ² . This equates to a pressure of 4 N / m ² (0.4 bar). This pressure is enough to immobilize the front part of the foot and to block the blood circulation. The consequences are swelling, loss of sensitivity and skin lesions. If, for reasons of fashion, the front of the shoe has a more pointed shape, the toes are gradually deformed. This can lead, a few years later, to the hallus valgus.

We always consider a standard shoe mid-high heel or high. While walking, by putting the foot down, he slips on the insole from one end to the other. Half a step later, without pressure, he slides back again. During each forward movement, so at each step, the sole of the foot under the heads of the metatarsals is pressed against the sole with a force that reaches at least 100% of the weight of the person. This results in a local heating of the skin by localized friction under the heads of the metatarsals and, after a certain time, the appearance of callosities. When a woman walks in conventional high-heeled shoes on a hard floor, the shoe receives each vertical contact with the ground two vertical mechanical shocks. The first shock, which is very brief, enters through the heel. It can be damped by mechanical means of damping of the heel which are known. The second shock enters through the front part of the shoe, from where it is transmitted to the heads of the metatarsals. During normal operation, the force transmitted by this second shock is approximately equal to the weight of the carrier. In conventional high-heeled shoes this second shock is practically not cushioned. It spreads in a straight line through the bones of the foot and leg to the spine. This results in knee and back pain. Our biomechanical analysis shows that we can easily explain all the lesions caused by usual high-heeled shoes.

1. (1) Une hauteur de la colline transversale d'environ 5 mm suffit pour empêcher le pied de glisser vers l'avant. L'inclinaison moyenne des pentes avants et arrières de la colline a été choisie autour de 45°.
2. (2) La colline transversale est réalisé avantageusement en un matériau viscoélastique, tel que le Technogel^™ 145 qui se.déforme faiblement sous le poids du pied. En deuxième choix on peut également utiliser un liège mou.
3. (3) Une épaisseur des coussins médians et avants de 5 mm suffit pour améliorer de manière décisive le confort des chaussures à talon hauts.
4. (4) Il faut choisir la dureté du coussin médian de sorte qu'il se comprime de manière réversible sous le poids des têtes des métatarses d'environ 50% à 80% de son épaisseur.
5. (5) Il est avantageux de faire saillir la colline transversale seulement lorsque les têtes des métatarses appuient sur le coussin médian pour le comprimer de manière réversible.

With shoes according to the invention is the transverse hill, helped by the two cushions, which retains the major part of the force that pushes the foot forward. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the proper sizing of the transverse hill, the median cushion and the front cushion. To determine the optimum thickness of the transverse hill and cushions according to the invention there are three points to take into account. The first concerns the anatomy of the foot, the second the forces acting on the foot and the third the design of the shoe. With the help of a thick layer of clay we made one-foot casts placed in an open shoe with high heels. These tests have shown that the metatarsal heads dig a deep valley of 15 to 20 mm so that form a natural transverse hill just in front, so at the root of the toes that go up. At the back of the metatarsal heads (so below the bow) we find, as for all high-heeled shoes, the slope that climbs to the heel. Such a natural transverse hill perfectly retains the forward thrust of the foot. Nevertheless, for reasons of aesthetics and design a high hill of 15 to 20 mm is not desirable. We then performed a series of tests that demonstrate the following five points:

1. (1) A height of the transverse hill of about 5 mm is sufficient to prevent the foot from sliding forward. The average slope of the front and rear slopes of the hill was chosen around 45 °.
2. (2) The transverse hill is advantageously made of a viscoelastic material, such as Technogel ^™ 145 which is deformed slightly under the weight of the foot. As a second choice you can also use soft cork.
3. (3) A thickness of the 5mm medial and forward cushions is enough to decisively improve the comfort of high heel shoes.
4. (4) The hardness of the median cushion should be selected so that it reversibly compresses under the weight of the metatarsal heads by approximately 50% to 80% of its thickness.
5. (5) It is advantageous to project the transverse hill only when the heads of the metatarsals press on the medial cushion to compress it reversibly.

We performed 7 tests to compare each time the comfort of a conventional shoe worn on the left with that of a shoe according to the invention worn on the right. We performed in addition 3 inverted tests with a shoe according to the invention worn on the left. During an 11th test we evaluated the comfort obtained when wearing an entire pair of high heel shoes according to the invention. For these tests we used two pairs of shoes size 38 current invoice with high heels of 10 cm. The transverse hill and the cushions were detachably fastened each time on one of the shoes of a pair. We assessed separately the comfort and discomfort of the left foot and the right foot on a seven-degree scale. This scale ranges from +2 (a dream) to +1 (better than the reference) to 0 (reference shoe at the beginning of the experiment), to -1 (discomfort), to -2 (intermittent pain), to - 3 (persistent pain) and - 4 (strong persistent pain). Left foot and right foot assessments were done first every 10 minutes and then every 20 minutes, for a total of 10 assessments for each foot over a total of 120 minutes (two hours). The person performing the tests has been standing all the time without ever sitting down. She stayed some time on the spot and another she walked on horizontal and sloping ground. To achieve the transversal hills we used at the beginning of the cork plates with a thickness of 3, 5 or 9 mm and plates in Technogel ™ 145 of a thickness 5 or 10 mm. For both cushions we cut Technogel ™ plates from 125 (soft), 130, 135 and 145 (hard). These plates contain a viscoelastic gel sealed in a thin flexible and waterproof envelope so as to form flat cushions. We cut the plates each time in the shape of the transverse hills and the desired front and middle cushions.

Experiments 2, 8, 9 and 10 showed us that with a transverse hill and an optimal choice of the viscoelasticity of the cushions one can wear shoes with high heels of 10 cm during the whole duration of the experiments, ie during 120 minutes without feel the least discomfort. We could have prolonged these experiments beyond 120 minutes. The comfort remains practically the same for a thickness of 5 or 10 mm. In their original form the same shoes start to hurt after 40 or 60 minutes on average. In experiment # 4 we placed only Technogel ™ 130 cushions. There was therefore no transverse hill according to the invention. In this case the shoes start to hurt after 80 minutes. This result is better than in the absence of cushions but it is less good than with a transverse hill according to the invention. The 11th test was made with a pair of high-heeled shoes of 10 cm, equipped with a pair of socks according to the invention. For the front and median cushions we used as before the Technogel ^™ type 130 with a thickness of 5 mm and for the transverse hills of the Technogel ^™ type 145 with a thickness of 5 mm also. To prevent it's the heel that starts to hurt we have added a pair of back cushions Technogel ^™ type 125 with a thickness of 5 mm also. Test 11 showed us that with an optimal choice of materials for the soleing according to the invention the high-heeled shoes remain fully comfortable (evaluation = 0) when standing for 220 minutes, ie for 3.5 hours . For the usual shoes the wearing period when they are fully comfortable standing is only about 20 minutes. With the shoes according to the experiment 11 one arrives at a discomfort (-1) after 240 minutes, thus after 4 hours. With usual shoes we feel the same discomfort after 40 to 60 minutes already.

Our tests have shown that the advantageous thicknesses for the front cushion, the transverse hill and the median cushion (for its part of constant thickness) are between 3 to 7 mm when the shoes are used normally, so for 2 or 4 hours. standing without interruption. Thicknesses between 8 mm and 20 mm are useful for people with very sensitive feet and toes. Our tests have shown that for a woman of size and average weight is used for the transverse hill advantageously Technogel ™ 145 or other material with similar viscoelastic properties. For the front and middle cushions, such a person is preferably used with Technogel ™ 130 or similar material. This gives the following major advantage: The shoes according to the invention with high heels of 10 cm can be worn comfortably standing without sitting for 3.5 hours. The fully comfortable wearing time is 2.7 times longer than that with shoes without transverse hill according to the invention but covered with identical cushions. Fully comfortable wearing time with shoes according to the invention is 11 times longer than that with usual shoes otherwise identical, so without transverse hill and without cushions. The comfortable wearing time with mid-high heels according to the invention should also be several times longer than with otherwise identical conventional shoes.

There are many professional and private activities that require women to stand for an extended period of time. We mention the work in catering and hospitality, sales, hairdressing, teaching, boats and airplanes, etc. Among the private activities of women we mention the shopping, the accompaniment of the children to the school, the walk, the evenings, the discotheque, etc. A large number of small and medium-sized women have so far been confronted with the following dilemma: Either they wear almost flat shoes and have no foot pain but accept, according to published statistical studies, be less well liked and less well paid. Or they wear high-heeled shoes, suffer from foot pain but enjoy higher average salary and esteem. The high or medium heels of the invention allow for the first time small and medium-sized women to perform all professional and private activities enjoying full and without pain the appreciation and financial benefits offered to their bigger sisters. The different embodiments of the shoes according to the invention allow the realization of a wide range of advantageous designs. They require few changes compared to conventional shoes. It is sufficient that the front sole is thick enough to accommodate the hill and cushions. By choosing for the transverse hill and the cushions a thickness of 3 to 7 mm it is possible to use a sole which is only slightly thicker than usual.

Fig. 1

un semelage selon l'exemple de réalisation 1

Fig. 2

un semelage selon l'exemple de réalisation 2

Fig. 3

un semelage selon l'exemple de réalisation 3

Fig. 4

un semelage et un coussin médian détaché selon l'exemple de réalisation 4

Fig. 5

un semelage selon l'exemple de réalisation 5

Fig. 6

une semelle à insertion selon l'exemple de réalisation 6

Fig. 7

un support adhésif selon l'exemple de réalisation 7

By the following the invention is described with the aid of eight exemplary embodiments, the first seven of which are illustrated by figures. Are represented:

Fig. 1

a sole assembly according to the embodiment example 1

Fig. 2

a sole according to the embodiment 2

Fig. 3

a sole according to the embodiment 3

Fig. 4

a sole and a median cushion detached according to the embodiment 4

Fig. 5

a sole according to the embodiment 5

Fig. 6

an insole according to the embodiment 6

Fig. 7

an adhesive support according to the embodiment 7

Example 1 figure 1 represents the sole, ie the part of a mid-high heel shoe that is below the foot. For ease of understanding, the different parts of the sole are shown separate and transparent. The upper and the upper are not drawn because they are made in the same way as for a conventional shoe. All achievements are feasible, from the sandal to the boot. The sole has the usual double curvature. The materials of the sole are the same as for usual shoes. At the bottom of the first mounting (1) is fixed the heel (5) and the outsole (6). A transverse hill (2) with a rounded profile is glued or welded to the first mounting (1). The transverse hill (2) is oriented slightly obliquely, so as to stand between the heads of the metatarsals (3) and the toes (4). It makes the metatarsal heads (3) stumble and prevents the foot from sliding forward. For an average size shoe of 38 the transverse hill (2) measures about 1.5 cm in the direction of the length of the shoe and its height is about 5 mm. The transverse hill (2) is made of an elastic or viscoelastic material, thus a weakly crosslinked polymer. We choose an elastomer whose hardness is comparable to that of the sole of the foot. Its hardness is high enough to restrain the thrust of the metatarsal heads (3) forward when the carrier is standing and low enough to cushion shocks forward when walking. When the first mounting (1) is made by injection of a resilient plastic material, it is possible to integrate the transverse hill (2) directly. The insole (7) is flexible and resistant to traction. It is glued along the entire length of the sole and forms a ripple so as to also cover the transverse hill (2). It has a coefficient of friction at least medium. The insole (7) advantageously has a distinctive pattern (8), printed or stamped in the mass so as to indicate the mark and logo for the shoe according to the invention.

Example 2 figure 2 represents the sole of a high-heeled shoe. The upper and the upper are not drawn because they are made in the same way as for a usual shoe. For ease of understanding the different parts of the sole are shown separate and transparent. All achievements are possible, from the sandalette to the boot. On the first mounting (1) is fixed a transverse hill (2) rounded which stands between the heads of the metatarsals (3) and the toes (4). The transverse hill (2) makes the heads of the metatarsals (3) abut and thus prevents the foot from sliding forward. It measures in the direction of the length of the shoe about 1.5 cm and its thickness is about 8 mm. The transverse hill (2) comprises a preformed, flexible and watertight envelope (11) which resists mechanical tension. The casing (11) contains a low compressible and elastic viscous gel (12) so as to dampen forward shocks when walking. For a person of average weight the transverse hill (2) is advantageously filled with a Technogel ™ gel 135 or 145. The first mounting (1) carries, behind the transverse hill (2), therefore under the heads of the metatarsals (3). ), a median cushion (13) glued on its lower surface. It is approximately rectangular in shape. Its thickness at the front is for example 5 mm, towards the back the thickness gradually decreases towards 0. The median cushion (13) is deformed locally under the static force of the body weight exerted by the heads of the metatarsals (3) . When the carrier is running, the cushion (13) also dampens the dynamic shocks of the heads of the metatarsals (3) in compression and shear forward. The first of assembly (1) carries in addition, in front of transverse hill, therefore under the fingers of the foot (4), a front cushion (14) glued on its lower surface. It is approximately semi-lunar in shape and its thickness is constant, for example 5 mm. When the carrier is walking she presses her toes (4) down at times. They hook in the front cushion (14) and help hold the foot. The front cushion (14) deforms locally and the contact areas increase so that the pressure exerted remains limited and the shocks are damped. For an average shoe size 38 and with a high heel of 100 mm, the following measures are taken: The front cushion (14) measures approximately 4.0 cm in length of the shoe, the transverse hill (2) measures approximately 2.3 cm, the median cushion (13) measures approximately 4.2 cm in constant thickness and approximately 2.0 cm on an additional length where the thickness gradually decreases towards 0. Finally there remains a rear part of the first mounting (1) up to the back of the false flat heel, not covered with cushion, which measures approximately 11.2 cm in length. The front cushion (14), the transverse hill (2), the medial cushion (13) and the rear part of the first mounting (1) are covered by a sockliner (7) which forms a corrugation at the location from the transverse hill (2). The insole (7) advantageously has an average coefficient of friction and carries a logo (8). The middle (13) and front (14) cushions each include a preformed, flexible, watertight envelope that resists mechanical tension. These envelopes each enclose a viscous gel that is not very compressible. When the cushions are deformed by the weight of the body they keep about the same volume and return to their original shape as soon as the weight is removed. The viscosity of the gel and chosen so that the cushions approximately double the contact areas under the weight of the body relative to a solid sole. For a person of average weight is advantageously used Technogel ™ 130 gel. The cushions then reduce the pressure, so the force per unit area exerted on the soles of the feet to about half compared to a hard surface.

Example 3 figure 3 represents the sole of a high-heeled shoe. The upper and the upper are not drawn. To facilitate understanding the different parts are shown separate and transparent. This example is similar to Example 2 but with a sole whose upper surface is flat when not stressed. It also shows a variant where the median cushion (13) is of long shape so extended to the back of the heel. The median (13) and front (14) cushions have a thickness of 5 mm which is equal to that of the transverse hill (2). Thus, the entire medial and forward surface of the unsolicited sole is flat. When the front of the foot is loaded with the weight of the body the median (13) and front (14) cushions crash in part. The transverse hill (2), less stressed in pressure and same time harder than the two cushions (13) and (14) becomes prominent. For a medium-sized shoe 38 with a high heel of 100 mm, the same length measurements are chosen for the front cushion (14) and the transverse hill (2) as for the embodiment example 2. The rear median cushion (13) ) has a length of 17.4 cm. For medium weight users the front and middle cushions are preferably made of Technogel ™ 130 and the Technogel ™ 145 transverse hill or other materials with similar viscoelastic properties. The front cushion (14), the transverse hill (2), the medial cushion (13) and the rear part of the first mounting (1) are covered by a sockliner (7) which bears a logo (8). The insole (7) advantageously has a coefficient of average friction.

Exemplary embodiment 4, figure 4 represents the sole of a high-heeled shoe with a separate medial cushion. The upper and the upper are not drawn because they are made in the same way as for a usual shoe. To facilitate understanding the different parts are shown separate and transparent. Example 4 resembles Example 2 but with a medial cushion that can be attached and detached. On the first mounting (1) is fixed a transverse hill (2) which kinks the heads of the metatarsals (3) and prevents the foot from sliding forward. The first mounting (1) also carries a front cushion (14). This cushion (14) and the transverse hill (2) are advantageously covered with the front part of a sockliner (7a). Behind the transverse hill (2) the sole has a middle bowl (21). Further back the first mounting (1) is advantageously covered with the rear part of a sockliner (7c). The shoe further includes a separate medial cushion (22) which, for example, is secured with an adhesive layer in the bowl (21). The median cushion (22) is advantageously covered with the middle part of a sockliner (7b). For a given shoe size, different median cushions (22) of the same size but with different viscoelastic properties are produced and offered at the sales store. For medium weight users or use eg Technogel ™ 130 or similar material. For light users, for example, Technogel ™ 125 or similar material is used. For heavier users, for example, Technogel ™ 135 or a similar material is used. The client chooses the median cushion (22) whose viscoelastic properties correspond to the weight of the client. The cushion (22) selected is then attached with its adhesive layer in the bowl (21). Once in place the cushion (22) transmits the shear forces exerted by the foot to the bowl (21) so that it does not slide forward. Similarly, one can also provide for example a set of a transverse hill and a median cushion that can be attached and detach.

Exemplary embodiment 5, figure 5 again represents the sole of a high-heeled shoe. The upper and the upper are not drawn. To facilitate understanding the different parts are shown separate and transparent. The upper portion of the sole includes a thick mounting first (1) which houses a bowl (31) with a peripheral edge (32). The bowl (31) houses the front cushion (14), the transverse hill (2) and the median cushion (13). Their upper surfaces are preferably at the same level when they are not solicited by the weight of the foot. The edge (32) laterally hides the three elements (14), (2) and (13) and retains them longitudinally and laterally. They can be assembled in one piece which is then glued in the bowl (31). The soleing further comprises a flexible sockliner (7) which covers the three elements (14), (2) and (13). The sole (7) is made of a porous and hydrophilic material, for example a woven or non-woven fabric, leather, etc. so as to diffuse and evacuate moisture from the soles of the feet. The compensated shoe makes it possible to use cushions (14) and (13) and a transverse hill (2) of a thickness from 8 mm to 15 mm. The height of the edge (32) of the bowl (31) is advantageously chosen to be a few millimeters smaller than the thickness of the cushions (14) and (13) and the transverse hill (2). This dimensioning ensures that the foot is not obstructed by the edge (32) when it is solicited by the weight of the person. The thickness of the first mounting (1) is between 10 to 20 mm approximately. This great thickness fits seamlessly into a wedge heel shoe. An alternative is to integrate the transverse hill (2) of a viscoelastic material in the first mounting (1) and realize the cushions (13) and (14) filling the bowls with a soft granule. The porous textile sockliner (7) is then glued and sealed to the edge (32) to enclose the granule. The lower part of the sole comprises a wedge block, which is preferably hollow (33) and an outsole (6). This embodiment allows users to gain maximum height and at the same time comfort.

Exemplary embodiment 6, figure 6 shows a separate insole according to the invention. The closed shoe with its sole, its upper and upper is not drawn because it is made almost like a normal shoe. The only difference is that the free height of the upper is increased to compensate for the thickness of the insole. The insole is inserted into the shoe either in the factory, the sales store or the end user. It is advantageously retained in place by its shape which corresponds to that of the inside of the shoe. It can be replaced when worn before the shoe. The insole may be made of different elastic hardnesses. It can then be chosen so that its elastic properties are adapted to the weight of the user. The insole includes a long base sheet, thus extended to the back of the heel (41), a front cushion (14), a transverse hill (2), a medial cushion (13) and a insole (7). An advantageous way of manufacturing the insole is as follows: The base sheet (41) is molded together with the transverse hill (2) in a single material of suitable elasticity to obtain a support (42). Then glue the front cushion (14) and the median cushion (13) on this support (42). Finally, we glue the insole (7) to obtain the insole. The thicknesses of the front cushion (14), the transverse hill (2) and the medial cushion (13) are preferably chosen so that the insert sole has no hump. The carrier (42) is made of a material of higher elastic hardness than the front (14) and medial (13) cushions. Thus, when the soles of the foot solicits the insole, the transverse hill (2) almost keeps its thickness while the two cushions are compressed elastically.

The embodiment 7, figure 7 shows an adhesive support according to the invention which is produced separately from the shoe. It shows, below, the sole of a usual shoe with high heel. The upper and the upper are not drawn. The adhesive support, above, is attached to the front part of the sole, which is done either by the shop assistant or by the user. The adhesive support comprises a transverse hill (2), a sockliner (7) fixed above and a self-adhesive sheet (51) fixed below. The width of the adhesive backing at the hill transverse (2) is chosen almost equal to the width of the foot so as to ensure a good lateral distribution of the weight. At the same time, it is avoided that the support is visible from the side when the shoe is worn. The adhesive support advantageously begins just in front of the transverse hill (2) and preferably terminates at the rear of the flat portion of the sole. At the rear of the transverse hill (2), the adhesive support is thin so as not to put the foot in the cramped shoe. The transverse hill (2) is made of an elastic or viscoelastic material, for example Technogel 135. The rounded profile and the width of the transverse hill, as well as its oblique, are chosen so as to correspond to the empty space which is found under the foot just in front of the metatarsal heads and behind the fat of the toes. When the front of the foot is placed on the support, the transverse hill (2) is inserted in the said empty space and retains the thrust in front of the heads of the metatarsals. The insole (7) is resistant to traction and somewhat elastic. It forms the upper part of the adhesive support, covers the transverse hill (2) and extends below the metatarsals. It advantageously has a non-slip upper surface with a medium coefficient of friction. It helps to hold the foot when it is pushed forward. The insole (7) advantageously carries a distinctive pattern (8), printed or stamped in the mass, so as to indicate the mark and the logo of the adhesive support. The self-adhesive foil (51) forms the lower portion of the adhesive backing. It is glued under the transverse hill (2) and under the insole (7). The adhesive layer (51) makes it possible to fix the adhesive support on the sole of a shoe. The adhesive support according to the invention is easy to fix in all types of shoes with mid-high heel or high, open or closed. It prevents the foot from sliding forward while removing nothing from the elegant exterior visual appearance of the shoe.

The embodiment 8 relates to the sole of a high-heeled shoe with a transverse hill, a front cushion and a median cushion essentially as in Example 2. The upper and possibly also the upper of this shoe are partly open on the sides. They are made for example in one or more strips so as to form a sandalette or a mule. In order to visually hide and protect the transverse hill, the front cushion and the median cushion is used an overflowing outsole that is folded and fixed, for example glued under the edges of the sole. Such open shoes are often used in hot climates. Alternatively they are used in the evening in rooms with high air temperature. For this reason, a sockliner made of a porous, hydrophilic material is preferably used which diffuses and removes moisture from the soles of the feet laterally.

Claims (10)

1. Semi-high or high heel shoe (5) comprising a sole unit which, between the heads of the metatarsi (3) and the toes (4), presents, either permanently or during the elastic deformation under the weight of the foot, a transverse hill (2) characterized by the fact that the transverse hill (2) is made from an elastic or viscous-elastic material of low compressibility with a Shore 00 hardness between 20 and 60, the transverse hill (2) being oriented weakly obliquely and raising immediately in front of the heads of the five metatarsi (3), such as to retain them, to dampen their forward push and to prevent the foot from sliding forwards.
2. Shoe according to claim 1 which comprises behind the transverse hill (2), that is under the heads of the metatarsi (3), a middle cushion (13) of approximately rectangular shape, the thickness of which decreases towards its rear edge, or which comprises a median-rear cushion of elongated shape up to the heel (5), said cushion (13) deforming locally under the pressure exerted by the heads of the metatarsi (3) such as to increase their contact areas, to decrease the pressure exerted on the skin and to dampen the shocks during walking.
3. Shoe according to claim 1 which comprises, in front of the transverse hill (2), that is under the toes (4), a front cushion (14) of approximately semi lunar shape, said cushion (14) becoming deformed locally under the force exerted by the toes (4) such as to increase their contact areas and to decrease the pressure exerted on the skin.
4. Shoe according to claim 1, 2 and 3 characterized by the fact that the transverse hill (2), the middle or middle-rear cushion (13) and the front cushion (14) comprise a preformed envelope, flexible and resistant to mechanical tension, which is either tight and contains a viscous-elastic gel, a viscous liquid or a suspension, or which is made from a textile permeable to air and contains a soft granulate, the whole nearly incompressible, such that, when a local force is exerted by the foot, said hill or said cushion deforms whilst keeping approximately the same volume and regains its original shape when the local force is removed.
5. Shoe according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized by a middle (13) and front (14) cushion with a thickness which is equal to that of the transverse hill (2), the whole such that, unsolicited, the middle and front surface of the sole unit is practically flat and that the transverse hill (2) protrudes only when the forefoot is charged with the weight of the body such that the middle cushion is squeezed whilst the shape of the transverse hill remains practically unchanged.
6. Shoe according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized by an insole (7) which is flexible and resistant to traction, preferably porous and hydrophilic, glued over its entire lower surface and presenting a friction coefficient which is at least average to help preventing the foot from sliding forwards.
7. Shoe according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized by a sole unit provided with a peripheral border on its front and/or middle part such as to form at least one basin (31) which lodges and hides visually the front cushion (14), the transverse hill (2) and/or the middle cushion (13).
8. Shoe according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 6, characterized by a separate insertion sole, which is preferably composed of a front cushion (14), a transverse hill (2) and a middle cushion (13) which are molded, glued or welded end to end, of a base sheet (41) of long shape reaching up to the rear of the heel and of an insole (7) fixed on top, said insertion sole being placed in the shoe, its fastening being obtained by shape, by adhesion or otherwise.
9. Shoe according to the claim 1, 2, 7 and 8 characterized by a separate middle cushion (22) provided preferably with a reinforcement and covered with a part of the insole (7b), and by a sole unit provided with a middle basin (21), such that the cushion (22) is placed in the middle basin (21), its fastening being obtained by shape, by adhesion, by Velcro (TM) or otherwise.
10. Shoe according to claims 1 and 6, characterized by an adhesive support, separated from the shoe, which is composed of at least an elastic or viscous-elastic transverse hill (2), of an adhesive layer (51) below and, on top, of part of an insole (7) having an average coefficient of friction, said adhesive support being suited for fastening at the appropriate place on the sole unit of a usual semi-high or high-heel shoe.

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