EP3160281B1 - Heel-protecting device, heel-protecting system, and heel-protecting device assortment - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a heel protection device according to the preamble of claim 1 for shoes with a heel and with a sole spaced from the heel in the direction of shoe extension (corresponding to the heel protector longitudinal extension), preferably for high heeled shoes with stiletto heel, with support means for increasing the tread of the heel of the heel Shoe comprising a heel support portion for heel, a sole sole supporting portion, and a connecting portion connecting the heel support portion and the sole support portion, preferably integrally, along the shoe extension to bridge the distance between the heel and the sole; wherein the heel protection device has the support means associated fixing means for releasably fixing the support means on the shoe, wherein the support means are formed more rigid than the fixing means and wherein the fixing egg NEN to a front pocket preformed or (user side, especially when applying the heel protection device) formable front portion for enclosing a front toe of the shoe and a preformed to a rear pocket or (user side, especially when creating the heel protection device) moldable rear portion for enclosing a Paragraph of the shoe-bearing shaft include. Furthermore, the invention relates to a heel protection system according to claim 13 with a shoe and trained according to the concept of the invention heel protection device which is releasably, in particular set under the application of a clamping and / or adhesive force on the shoe.

In practice, there is the problem that high-heeled shoes, especially women's shoes, arranged with on an elongated shaft Stiletto heels are not suitable for locomotion in impassable terrain. However, even on paved ways there is the problem that the heel can be entered into depressions, for example plaster slits or manhole covers. On the one hand, this can lead to damage to the shoe and, on the other hand, entails a not inconsiderable risk of injury to the wearer.

For this reason, sales protection devices have been proposed, as this example, in the WO 2013/078203 A1 are described. These include support means for fixing below the shoe, wherein the plate-shaped support means extend in the aforementioned prior art from an area below the heel to a front sole and thus to increase the support or tread surface of the paragraph and at the same time prevent the Paragraph can be entered into a corresponding recess. In the known heel protection device, the shoe is adhered to the heel protection device. For this purpose, the heel protection device on its upper side corresponding adhesive agent. The fixation by means of an adhesive, however, seems to be disadvantageous. On the one hand adhesive residues can adhere to the shoe after releasing the connection. In addition, the heel protection device with its adhesive surfaces can not be easily stowed in a handbag, without sticking objects therein. Another disadvantage is the low load capacity of the known adhesive bond.

From the DE 199 15 297 A1 An alternative heel protection device is known, in which case the support means are held on the heel by means of a mechanical clamping mechanism. The fixative are thereby constructed comparatively complex and thus vulnerable. In addition, for secure fixation in the paragraph a groove for receiving a locking pawl be provided the fixative, so the shoe to be modified, which is to be avoided.

In the WO 2013/187543 A1 an alternative heel protection device is shown, in which case the complete shaft with heel is retractable in the support means. Due to the resulting three-dimensional shaping, the heel support device can not be stowed in small handbags. The same is true for those from the US 2006/0196082 A1 known heel protection device, as well as for in the US 4,910,885 A shown embodiment of a heel support device, the large volume fills the area between the shaft and the front shoe section. According to the alternative device described in the document this must be fixed by means of a screw in the shaft, with corresponding disadvantages.

In the US 3,608,213 A a paragraph protection device is described, which is also bulky and is held on the shoe on adhesive or suction, which promise no high capacity.

The from the DE 1 856 910 U known heel protection device is placed exclusively over the shaft and thus increases the tread surface only minimally - in particular, the distance between the heel and the front shoe area is not bridged, whereby it is still possible to enter into corresponding wells. The same is true for those from the DE 185 0 751 U well-known heel protection device, as well for the from DE 20 2010 013 948 U1 known protection.

From the US 2,571,437 A is a gait-like shoe protection known which can be fixed with a fixable around the ankle of a wearer buckle on the shoe or foot. Overall, the well-known shoe protector is very clunky, thick and does not lend itself to use with hochhakigen shoes.

Also not suitable for hochhakige shoes is from the WO 2011/123010 A1 known shoe protection, which is fixed by clamping the shoe to this. For this purpose, the well-known shoe protection elastically deflectable tabs - on the whole, however, the shoe protector is comparatively rigid, wearing under the shoe on thick and is visible in large parts on the shoe.

A likewise chunky shoe protection is in the US 2009/0288314 A1 described. It is a relatively rigid model with thick sole, in which an insert is provided.

In the US 2014/0068972 A1 is described a shoe-like shoe protector, which is suitable for hochhakige shoes, but which is elaborately shaped and relatively rigid and can be fixed by means of tabs on the back of the shoe with vertical distance to the heel. Also, this shoe protection significantly disturbs the aesthetic appearance of a protected hochhakigen shoe.

From the US 5,425,186 A is described as an overshoe shoe protection described, which is elongated extendable by realization of an accordion effect. In its vertical extent of the overshoe on the height of the shoe to be protected aligned, not inconsiderable, fixed height, making the overshoe is large and bulky altogether.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, the present invention seeks to provide an alternative or improved sales protection device that simultaneously meets at least three conditions. On the one hand, a secure hold of the heel protection device on the shoe should be ensured. In addition, a secure state or an optimized sales protection should be given. It is also essential that the Heel protection device after removal from the shoe can easily be stowed in a purse, so is designed as small as possible or flat. Preferably, the heel of the heel protection device according to the invention should be as unobtrusive as possible, ie the effect on the aesthetic appearance of the shoe to be protected should be minimally negative.

It is a further object to provide a heel protection system comprising a shoe and a heel protection device constructed according to the concept of the invention.

This object is achieved with respect to the heel protection device having the features of claim 1, i. solved in a generic heel protection device characterized in that the fixing means are elastically stretchable in such an area forming a contact surface for contacting a substrate area while increasing the tread surface in the direction of shoe longitudinal extension, that the heel protection device on the shoe, in particular exclusively, by stretching and bracing the fixative between the front toe and the shaft can be fixed.

With regard to the sales protection system, the object with the features of claim 13 is achieved.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. Within the scope of the invention, all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, claims and / or figures fall within the scope of the invention.

The invention is based on the idea that the fixing means at least in a normal use, ie in one on the shoe fixed state a tread-forming area such, preferably elastically, ie reversibly, or plastically by hand extensible design that the heel protection device on the shoe, in particular exclusively by stretching the fixing (in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the shoe) and bracing the fixing between the front Shoe tip and the shaft are fixed to the shoe, while increasing the tread by the reversible stretching of the fixing in the direction of the shoe or Absatzschutzvorrichtungslängserstreckung. In other words, the heel protection device according to the invention, preferably flat and / or membrane-like fixative, by means of, in particular preformed, in particular molded or user side by manually flipping around a shoe section when setting the heel protection device on the shoe, especially from a non-dimensionally stable, preferably labberigen, further preferably flat Fixiermittelabschnitt, malleable, pockets (front pocket for the toe and rear pocket for the shoe upper) can embrace the shoe form fit to both ends and wherein the fixing means in a lower or below the shoe sole can be arranged, that is a tread surface forming area so stretchable are designed so that with the aid of the fixing means acting in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the shoe clamping force on this with simultaneous extension of the surface formed by the fixing agents, in particular by at least the double te, can be applied, on the basis of which the heel guard on the shoe holds. In this case, the front pocket spans the toe and the rear pocket the shaft, especially only in a lower region to a height of less than 5cm, preferably less than 3cm, thus providing a front and back fit to the shoe, with elongation preferably in the form of a film or membrane fixing means in two directions along the longitudinal extent of the shoe, a clamping force on the shoe for fixing the heel protection device can be applied. The support means are arranged such that they extend from an area below the shaft, more precisely the paragraph located thereon in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the shoe forward to below the shoe sole (tread surface of the shoe for the forefoot), wherein sole and heel, in particular a Pfennigabsatz, are spaced in the direction of the longitudinal extent and this distance is bridged by the, plate-shaped or flat and flat support means. Especially preferred is an embodiment to be explained later in detail, in which the fixing means completely cover or cover at least one underside of the support means.

As already mentioned, the two pocket-shaped sections (front pocket and rear pocket) for enclosing the front and rear shoe sections in the fixing means are formed in the fixing means in a preferred embodiment. Although this embodiment is advantageous, a molding is not mandatory, but the preformed pockets can be separately formed and / or set / be, in which case the front pocket to be explained later, below a shoe arrangeable, so a portion of Auftrittsfäche forming Dehnabschnitt the fixative adjacent. In the case of the molding of the front and the rear pocket in the fixing means, the fixing means are preferably formed in one piece, so extend in one piece from the toe to the shaft. The shaping of the pockets preferably takes place by appropriate shaping of a mold (tool) in which the material preferably forming the fixing agent is vulcanizable to elastomer material. As an alternative to a preforming, in particular indentation of at least one of the pockets, it is possible to manually form the front and / or the rear pocket by folding over the then preferably flat or sheet-like, in particular non-dimensionally stable, preferably labile fixing means around the protective tip or the shoe upper, wherein the fixing material is then preferably designed such that it adheres, in particular frictionally engaged with the shoe or holds. In other words, an alternative to preforming pockets or providing three-dimensionally shaped pockets from the outset therein is the pockets by forming the fixation means or the front portion of the fixation means around the toe and / or the rear portion of the fixation means around the shoe upper, the bag / bags only when you create the heel protection device by the carrier auszuformen. In particular, in the latter embodiment, the fixing means may be at least partially formed of an adhesive film material and / or Dehnfolienmaterial.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the fixing means in which they are elastically stretchable, at least in a later to be explained Dehnabschnitt - also conceivable is an embodiment in which the fixing means are designed plastically stretchable at least in the Dehnabschnitt, especially in the case of at least sections the fixing agent as an adhesive and / or stretch film. Adhesive films, for example made of PVC or PE can adhere without adhesive to smooth surfaces, preferably shoe surfaces in the manner of a cling film. This adhesion is caused by a loose molecular bond (van der Waals bond) between the interfaces of the film and the shoe material, in particular leather, against which the correspondingly formed fixing means lie with their front and their rear section. Additionally or alternatively, the fixing means may be formed at least in sections as a stretch film. The term stretch film is the generic term for elastic films that are extremely elastic without tearing. Thus, the stretch film may be constructed one or more layers, wherein the adhesive force substantially by the formulation of sticky polymers or by mixing migrating sticky, high-viscosity polyisobutylene in the film production, in particular by extrusion, can be achieved in the film surface layer.

In order to realize a great extensibility of the fixing means in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the heel protection device or of the shoe for applying the desired tensioning force, it is preferred if the elastic material of the, preferably one-part fixing means at least in a region forming the tread surface, i. in the Dehnabschnitt an elongation at break of at least 200%, preferably of at least 300%, most preferably from a range of values between 300% and 500%. The elongation at break is to be understood as meaning the breaking elongation of the material, that is to say a material characteristic value. This is preferably determined as part of a tensile test according to DIN 53504 using a specimen defined in the DIN standard.

Very particularly preferred is an embodiment of the heel protection device, wherein the fixing means arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the heel protection device between the front pocket and the support portions partially the tread of heel protection device forming preferably at least mostly, most preferably completely below the shoe can be arranged stretch section, the preferably in the relaxed state has a longitudinal extension of at least 2cm, preferably at least 3cm, wherein the Dehnabschnitt is formed so elastic (by choice of material and lower thickness) that the Dehnabschnitt and thus preferably the tread to at least twice, preferably at least three times, still more preferably at least four times the length dimension relative to a relaxed state for bracing the supporting device between the toe and the shaft, preferably elast isch, that is reversible, or alternatively plastically extensible. In other words, it is preferably very thin and flat or membranous Dehnabschnitt so, in particular elastic, stretchable formed that this is stretchable in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the shoe to a large degree, so as to be able to apply the clamping force on the heel protection device. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the aforementioned Dehnabschnitt is such that it by at least 2cm, more preferably by at least 3cm, most preferably by at least 4cm, even more preferably by at least 5cm by, preferably elastic or plastic, stretching to bracing the support device between the toe and the shaft (reversible) can be extended. In particular, an aforementioned embodiment of the Dehnabschnittes makes it possible to dispense with an additional fixation of heel protection device - rather this surrounds preferably only the protective tip and the shaft, in particular only in a lower part of the shaft, and is held exclusively by the tension in an area below the shoe. Preferably, the expansion section is not dimensionally stable in the relaxed state, it is preferably labberig. More preferably, the Dehnabschnitt is so form unstable that it is folded or foldable in an area above and / or below the heel protection device to reduce the length extension of the heel protection device for stowing in a purse can.

With regard to the design of the support means, there are different possibilities. It is essential that the shoe can stand at two spaced locations on the support means, namely one with the heel in a rear region of the support means and by means of the sole spaced from the heel in the longitudinal extent of the shoe in a front region. It is particularly advantageous if the support means are designed as a thin plate in order to be able to stow them optimally in a handbag. Particularly preferred are a top plate (which the Shoe facing) and a plate underside (which faces the floor) aligned at least approximately parallel. The plate-shaped support means may then, as is preferred, bridge the distance between the heel and the sole of the shoe while maintaining a height distance between the connecting portion of the support means and a shoe bottom of the shoe. In other words, the shoe spans the connection portion of the support means in a bridge-like manner.

Preferably, the support means and / or the fixing means in a front area are dimensioned such that they are in the lateral direction, i. perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the supporting device are projected from the sole, so as to disappear within a plan view projection surface of the shoe or to be covered by the shoe.

It is particularly expedient if the average (extending over the areal extent) or maximum thickness extent of the support means running in the direction of the shaft extension is most preferably less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1.5 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm is less than 1 mm, more preferably 0.8 mm, and it is particularly useful when the supporting means are formed as a plate upper surface parallel to a plate top plate to the distance between the heel and the sole (footing for the forefoot) of Shoe while maintaining a height portion between the connecting portion of the support means and a shoe bottom of the shoe to bridge. In other words, the support means, and preferably the entire heel guard, extend straight from an area below the heel to an area below the sole while maintaining the height distance between them Connecting portion of the support means and a vertically spaced from the sole shoe bottom of the shoe.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the heel protection device, in which these in the region of the support means or in between the rear portion, in particular the rear pocket and the front portion, preferably arranged the front pocket and the tread surface providing the support means having intermediate portion and / or Area of adjacently arranged Dehnabschnitts in an elastically stretched state of the fixing means, in particular of the Dehnabschnitts and / or relaxed fixing means a mean or maximum, in the vertical direction of a shoe upper, ie thickness dimension measured in the vertical direction of the shoe of less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1.5 mm, it being very particularly preferred if the thickness extension of a thickness range between 0.5 mm and 1.4 mm more preferably between 0.6mm and 1.2mm, more preferably when the thickness is between about 0.8mm and about 1.2mm.

In this way, a particularly flat, i. obtained in the high direction non-applying and largely below the shoe or within a plan view projection surface (axial projection surface from the direction of the vertical axis) disappearing heel protection device.

To ensure optimum fixation of the support means in the fixing means, it is preferred if support means have through openings through which the fixative material can grip, thus ensuring a positive connection to the fixing means and through the support means arranged above the support means Fixiermittelabschnitt and a below the support means arranged Fixiermittelabschnitt materially connect, the latter Fixiermittelabschnitt simultaneously provides a contact surface for occurrence on a substrate.

It is particularly preferred if the fixing means in a range above and / or below the support means has a thickness of less than 0.5mm, preferably between 0.05mm and 0.04mm, most preferably between about 0.1mm and 0.2mm respectively.

In order to make the heel protection device as less conspicuous as possible, it is preferred if the plate-like support means taper from a front, below the shoe sole portion arranged towards a rear, to be arranged below the heel section in terms of their width extension, wherein the widthwise extension is measured perpendicular to extending in the direction of the high extension of the shaft high extent and perpendicular to extending in the direction of shoe longitudinal extension of the heel protection device. In other words, the support means widen from back to front wedge or funnel-shaped.

In particular, if, what is preferred, the support means are embedded in the fixing or fixing material or are fixed by embedding on the fixing means, it is preferred if the, preferably designed as a plastic injection molded part supporting means, exclusively rounded outer edges, wherein the outer edges are preferably rounded both in the direction of thickness and in the circumferential direction.

For embedding the support means in the fixing means, the support means are preferably inserted into a mold and fixedly positioned there, in particular by mandrels in preferably provided, previously explained passage openings engage in the support means, whereupon preheated vulcanizable material is then introduced under pressure into the preheated mold, in particular injected. The mold in this case has a temperature, preferably between 140 ° C and 200 ° C, which is designed to vulcanize the material introduced into elastomeric material in the mold, so to produce the elastic properties. In this case, the support means of the elastomeric material (fixer material) are enclosed, which also passes through the, preferably circumferentially closed passage openings and thus arranged above the plate-shaped support means Fixiermittelabschnitt and a lower, that is arranged below the support means Fixiermittelabschnitt which simultaneously forms a tread of the heel protection device firmly together connect and at the same time to hold the support means positively in the fixative fixed position.

As, in particular vulcanized elastomeric material for forming the, preferably one-piece fixing agent is in particular CR and / or NR and / or BR and / or EPDM and / or silicone, and or AEM and / or ECO, and / or ACM and / or NBR and / or PU and / or FKM and / or HNBR and / or rubber.

In the choice of material of the support means is preferably to ensure that this despite the flat and very thin configuration of the support means has a high strength and very particularly preferably is temperature resistant, especially at temperatures between 120 ° and 180 °, preferably up to a temperature of at least 140 ° C even more preferably at least 160 ° C in order to survive a preferred Vulkanisierprozess the elastomeric material without damage. As a material for forming the support means is particularly suitable metal, in particular an aluminum or a steel alloy, wood or a plastic, wherein the plastic is preferably a glass fiber content, in particular between 5% and 95%. The plastic may be, for example, polyamide, PC, PS, ABS, PMMA, HD-PE, LD-PE or PVC.

The invention also leads to a heel protection system comprising a shoe, in particular a high-heeled shoe with a penny heel arranged on a shaft. Also, the shoe comprises at least one heel and a sole spaced from the heel in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the shoe. A heel protection device designed according to the concept of the invention is detachably fastened to a shoe designed in this way by applying a tensioning force, the fastening means of the heel support device being stretched. In this case, the front pocket, which is either preformed, in particular by molding into the preferably one-piece fixative or formed by folding the front Fixiermittelabschnittes user side or molded the shoe tip and the rear, in particular tab-like preformed or user-side shaped pocket surrounds the shaft, especially exclusively in a lower shaft region, preferably to a maximum height, measured from the heel of 3cm, most preferably less than 2cm. The heel protection device preferably surrounds the upper with the rear portion, preferably the rear, preferably tab-shaped, pocket, preferably to a minimum height of at least 1 cm from the underside of the heel, preferably at least 2 cm and with the front pocket the toe. The fixing means, in particular a Dehnabschnitt the fixing are / is so stretched that the applied clamping force is sufficient to keep the heel protection device, preferably exclusively, by the generated clamping force. The expansion section is preferably elastic about twice its length extension in the relaxed state, preferably more than three times, even more preferably more than four times this longitudinal extension in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the shoe, ie reversibly stretched. Particularly preferably, the expansion section is extended by at least 2 cm, preferably by at least 3 cm, more preferably by at least 4 cm, even more preferably by at least 5 cm by elastic stretching, based on a relaxed state. The heel protection device preferably extends flat or substantially exclusively except for the small thickness extension two-dimensionally between the heel and the sole, wherein the heel protection device is preferably designed so that it is surmounted in the lateral direction of the sole and except for the front and the rear pocket below a projection surface viewed from above below the shoe disappears or, in particular with lateral edge spacing, is accommodated within this projection surface.

It is preferred that the expansion portion and / or the fixing means are arranged in a region between the front portion, in particular the front pocket and the rear portion, in particular the rear pocket at least over most of the shoe extension only within a plan view projection surface of the shoe below the shoe and / or that the support means extend straight in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the shoe from an area below the heel forward to below the sole.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines hochhackigen Schuhs mit einer lösbar daran festgelegten Absatzschutzvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2 und Fig. 3

Unteransichten eines Schuhs mit Absatzschutzvorrichtungen unterschiedlicher Ausgestaltung,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht eines Schuhs mit daran festgelegter Absatzschutzvorrichtung von schräg hinten,

Fig. 5

eine Längsschnittansicht durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel von einer nach dem Konzept der Erfindung ausgebildeten Absatzschutzvorrichtung, und

Fig. 6:

ein Absatzschutzsystem, umfassend eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Absatzschutzvorrichtung und ein Schuh, an welchem die Absatzschutzvorrichtung ausschließlich durch Aufbringen einer Spannkraft durch Dehnen eines Dehnabschnittes gehalten.

These show in:

Fig. 1

a side view of a high-heeled shoe with a releasably secured thereto heel protection device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3

Bottom views of a shoe with heel protection devices of different design,

Fig. 4

a view of a shoe with paragraph heel protection device obliquely from behind,

Fig. 5

a longitudinal sectional view through an embodiment of a trained according to the concept of the invention heel protection device, and

Fig. 6:

a heel protection system comprising a preferred embodiment of a heel protection device according to the invention and a shoe on which the heel protection device held exclusively by applying a clamping force by stretching a Dehnabschnittes.

In the figures, like elements and elements are identified by the same reference numeral.

In the Fig. 1 to 4 is a first embodiment of a heel protection system comprising a trained here as a high-heeled lady shoe shoe 1 and a heel protection device 2, which releasably determined by stretching of integral fixing means 3 to the shoe 1 is. In addition to the fixing means 3, the heel protection device 2 comprises support means 4 in the form of a thin plate, for example of metal.

The support means 4 are elongated along the longitudinal extent of the shoe 1 and comprise a (rear) heel support portion 5, on which the here formed as a penny heel paragraph 6 of the shoe 1 is indirectly supported. Further, the one-piece support means 4 comprises a (front) sole support portion 7, on which a (forefoot) sole 8 of the shoe 1 is supported, the sole 8 being spaced from the heel support portion 5 by a bridge portion 9 of the shoe 1. In a region below the bridge section 9 or middle section of the shoe 1 there is a connecting section 10 of the support means 4 which integrally connects the heel support section 5 and the sole support section 7. The support means 4 have a maximum and average thickness extension D _A of less than 1.2 mm, here preferably of about 0.8 mm.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fixing means 3 are configured from a flat, here elastically extensible material (in this case rubber with a tensile elongation at break of 400%) and substantially membrane or film realized, so that the fixing means 3 are extensible in several dimensions to the specific embodiment to be able to span the shoe 1 in a front and a rear area. For this purpose, the fixing means 3 project beyond the plate-shaped support means 4 forwardly with a stretching section 16 which is elastically (reversibly) stretched by more than twice in the shown state fixed to the shoe 1 and in the unstretched (relaxed) state is not dimensionally stable. Alternatively, a plastic extensibility can be realized, in particular by forming the Dehnabschnitts of adhesive film material. The stretching section 16 has a thickness extension D of less than 1.5 mm in the tensioned state, preferably less than or equal to 1.2 mm.

In Fig. 1 It can be seen that a front shoe portion, here a toe 11 is encompassed or spanned by a front portion of the fixing means, more precisely a preformed front pocket 12 of the fixing means 3, which is formed in the present embodiment in the one-piece fixing means 3. Alternatively, the front pocket 12 is not preformed but is shaped by the user during coating or by coating the non-dimensionally stable front Fixiermittelabschnittes and the toe. In the specific embodiment, the front pocket 12 in a front region on no passage or passage opening for the toe 11, but forms a closed as in an insertion container. According to an alternative, not shown embodiment, it is conceivable to realize an opening in the front pocket 12 in a front region for slipping through the shoe tip 11 in sections.

In a rear area, the fixing means 3, more precisely a rear fixing means section, form a preformed rear pocket 14, with which the shaft 13 is spanned. Alternatively, a user-side shaping of the rear pocket 14 when applying the heel protection device by folding the rear, preferably with dimensionally stable Fixiermittelabschnitten around the shoe is possible. The fixing means 3 bring by the aforementioned elastic stretching of the tread for contacting a substrate on a tension force on the shoe 1 and thus keep the support means 4 in the desired position.

As in particular from alternative sub-views of paragraph protection devices 2 in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be seen, run the fixative 3 below the support means 4, so that the shoe wearer runs quasi on the fixing means 3.

Like from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be seen, there are different ways to shape the support means 4. Together, both embodiments have the plate-like configuration, with substantially parallel Plattenober- and undersides. The thickness extension D _A is very low and preferably less than 1.2 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the support means 4 are configured substantially web-shaped and extend from an area below the paragraph 6 to a region below the sole. 8

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 widens the support means 4 viewed in the axial direction forward, ie taper towards the rear in the direction of paragraph.

Fig. 4 shows a view of a shoe 1 with heel protection device 2 obliquely from behind. Evident is the second pocket-shaped section 14 for the section-wise re-tensioning of the shoulder 6 which carries the shoulder 6. The front pocket 12 can be seen in a front area.

Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a heel protection device 2 in a longitudinal sectional view. Evident are the plate-shaped support means 4 with a small thickness extension D _A , of preferably 1.2 mm or less. The total thickness extension D of the heel protection device 2 in an intermediate region comprising the support means 4 is only insignificantly greater than the thickness extension D _{A of} the flat or flat support means 4 itself. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the total thickness D is preferably less than 1.5 mm, which means that the thickness of the fixer material above and may only be one to a few tenths of a millimeter below the support means 4. The fixing means 3 also form the tread surface 17 in the region below the support means 4. The support means 4 are accommodated in a cavity 15 formed by the fixing means 3. This cavity 15 can be opened or opened at one point, in particular like a slot, around the support means 4 to be able to exchange. Alternatively, the cavity 15 may be formed completely circumferentially closed so that the support means 4 remain permanently in the cavity 15. Preferably, the support means 4 are surrounded on all sides directly and permanently by the fixative material (in Fig. 4 not shown, ie are contacted on all sides of this).

In Fig. 6 a particularly preferred embodiment of a heel guard 2 is shown. Evident are the wedge-shaped rearwardly with respect to their width extension tapered plate-shaped support means 4, which have a thickness extension D _A of at most 1.1 mm, preferably from 0.8mm to 1mm. It can be seen that in the, preferably designed as a plastic injection molded part and rounded edges supporting means 4, a plurality of through holes 18 are arranged, which are penetrated by the fixing material of the fixing means 3. Overall, the support means 4 are completely embedded in the fixer material, which, as described in the general description part can be achieved by inserting the support means 4 in a mold, introducing vulcanizable material, in particular rubber in the preheated mold and vulcanizing the material to the elastomer material the desired, highly elastic properties.

The support means 4 extend from an area below the shoulder 6 into an area below the sole 8 of the high-heeled shoe 1 and are firmly connected by the passages in the through holes with the fixing means 3, so that a positioning below of paragraph 6 and at the same time the sole 8 is ensured. In front adjacent to or adjacent to the support means 4, a highly elastic Dehnabschnitt 16 of the fixing means 3 is provided which is stretched in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the shoe to more than twice, preferably more than three times, wherein the fixing means 3 simultaneously with a in a front portion of the fixing means 3 molded front pocket 12, the shoe tip and with a rear portion of the fixing means 3 a molded rear pocket 14, the shaft 13 engage around the shaft 13 only in a lower region form fit, so that a clamping force is applied to the shoe 1, the Heel protection device 2 fixed to the shoe 1. With the enlargement of the Dehnabschnitts is accompanied by a corresponding enlargement of the tread surface 17.

The thickness extension D _{A of} the heel protection device 2 in the at least approximately completely disappearing within an axial plan view projection surface of the shoe 1 Dehnabschnitts 16 is less than 1.5mm, preferably between 0.8mm and 1.2mm. The thickness extension D _{A of} the heel guard 2 in the region of the support means 4 is at least approximately (± 0.3 mm, preferably ± 0.2 mm) the same or identical.

Out Fig. 6 It can be seen that not only the expansion section 16 but also the support means 4 are arranged within the above-mentioned plan view projection surface - from this protrudes essentially only the front pocket 12th

Overall, the heel protection device 2 according to the invention is very thin and inconspicuous and easy to stow, wherein the stretched portion 16 is not dimensionally stable in the non-strained state but labbrig, in particular rollable and / or in a range above or below the support means 4 is folded down.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

shoe

2

Paragraph protector

3

fixer

4

support means

5

Sales support section

6

paragraph

7

Sole support section

8th

sole

9

bridge section

10

connecting portion

11

toe

12

front pocket

13

shaft

14

rear pocket

15

cavity

16

stretching section

17

tread

18

Through openings

D

Total thickness extension

D _A

Dick extension

Claims (15)

1. A heel protection device for shoes (1) which have a heel (6) and a sole (8) spaced apart from the heel (6) in the direction of a length of the shoe, the heel protection device having support means (4) serving to enlarge the ground contact surface (17) of the heel (6) of the shoe (1) and comprising a heel supporting portion (5) for the heel (6), a sole supporting portion (7) for the sole (8), and a connecting portion (10) connecting the heel supporting portion (5) and the sole supporting portion (7) along the length of the shoe and serving to bridge the distance between the heel (6) and the sole (8), the heel protection device (1) having fixing means (3) assigned to the heel supporting means (4) and serving to removably fix the support means (4) to the shoe (1), the support means (4) being more rigid than the fixing means (3), and the fixing means (3) comprising a front portion pre-shaped or shapeable into a front pocket (12) and serving to surround a front shoe tip (11) of the shoe (1) and a rear portion pre-shaped or shapeable into a rear pocket (14) and serving to surround a shaft (13) of the shoe (1), which supports the heel,
   characterized in that
   in an area forming a ground contact surface (17) for coming into contact with a ground, the fixing means (3) can be stretched in the direction of the length of the shoe, thus simultaneously enlarging the ground contact surface (17), in such a manner that the heel protection device (2) can be fixed to the shoe (1) by stretching and mounting the fixing means (3) under tension between the front shoe tip (11) and the shaft (13),
   and that the support means are realized as plates so as to bridge the distance between the heel (6) and the sole (8) of the shoe (1) while maintaining a height distance between the connecting portion (10) and an underside of the shoe (1).
2. The heel protection device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the fixing means (3) are formed in one piece.
3. The heel protection device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
   the elastic material of the fixing means (3) has an elongation at break of at least 200 %.
4. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the fixing means (3) have a stretching portion (16) disposed between the front portion, preferably between the front pocket (12) and the support means (4), providing at least one ground contact surface (17) and being disposable below the shoe (1), said stretching portion (16) being stretchable to at least double the length with respect to a slack state in order to mount the heel protection device (2) under tension between the shoe tip and the shaft (13) and/or that the aforementioned stretching portion (16) can be lengthened by at least 2 cm with respect to the slack state by elastic stretching in order to mount the heel protection device (2) under tension between the shoe tip and the shaft (13).
5. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the heel protection device (2) has a mean or maximum thickness (D_A) of less than 3 mm measured in the height direction of a shoe shaft in an intermediate area disposed between the rear portion and the front portion and having the support means (4) and providing the ground contact surface (17) and/or the stretching portion (16) has a mean maximum thickness (D_A) of less than 3 mm measured in the height direction of a shoe shaft when the fixing means (3) are in an elastically stretched state and/or when the fixing means (3) are slack.
6. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the support means (4) are formed as a plate having a plate underside parallel to a plate upper side.
7. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the support means (4) are embedded in the fixing means (3) and have both surface sides covered by the fixing means (3).
8. The heel protection device according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the fixing means (3) have a thickness (D_A) of less than 0.5 mm in an area above and/or below the support means (4).
9. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the support means (4) taper in width toward the heel (6) across the length of the heel protection device.
10. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    all outer edges of the support means (4) are rounded.
11. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the fixing means (3) are made of an elastomeric material.
12. The heel protection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the support means (4) are made of metal or wood or plastic.
13. A heel protection system comprising a shoe (1) having a heel (6) and a sole (8) spaced apart form the heel (6) in the direction of a length of the shoe (1) and a heel protection device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, said heel protection device (2) being removably fixed to the shoe (1) by application of a tensioning and/or adhesive force, being mounted under tension between the shoe tip (11) and the shaft (13) and having elastically stretched fixing means (3).
14. The heel protection system according to claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the rear portion of the heel protection device surrounds the shaft (13) and the front pocket (12) of the heel protection device surrounds the shoe tip (11) and that, in this state, a stretching portion (16) of the fixing means (3) extending along the length of the shoe (1) and disposed below the shoe (1) is stretched to at least double the length with respect to a slack state and/or that, in this state, the stretching portion (16) is lengthened by at least 2 cm with respect to a slack state by elastic stretching.
15. The heel protection system according to any one of claims 13 or 15, characterized in that
    in an area between the front portion and the rear portion, the stretching portion (16) and/or the fixing means (3) are disposed below the shoe exclusively within a plan-view projection area of the shoe (1) across at least the major part of the length of the shoe and/or that the support means (4) extend in a straight line in the direction of the length of the shoe (1) from an area below the heel (6) to the front and under the sole (8).

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