WO2005089578A1

WO2005089578A1 - A heel protector

Info

Publication number: WO2005089578A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Seok Yoon
Original assignee: Joeun Protech Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-19
Filing date: 2005-01-05
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Also published as: EP1725128A1; EP1725128A4; EP1725128B1; JP2007529642A; US20070192938A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a heel protector including a body member made of a flexible fabric material for being worn on the feet and an inner pad member coupled to an inside of the body member for accommodation to an area where a heel is located when the heel protector is worn. Both distal ends of a longitudinal direction of the inner pad member are coupled to the body member, and two areas of the inner pad member accommodated to both lateral sections of the heel are coupled to the body member, such that the inner pad member can relatively slide in relation to the body member when the heel protector is worn. Friction generated on the heels while walking can be subdued by the inner pad member to thereby prevent formation of calluses or blisters, and manufacturing process can be simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Description

A HEEL PROTECTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heel protector and, more particularly, to a heel

protector adapted to maximally prevent friction between a user's heel and shoes, and to

prevent formation of calluses and blisters on the heel caused by the friction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the known arts for maintaining healthy feet is shown in FIG. 11, in which

Japanese Utility Model No. 3032803 entitled, "Dryness Preventing Socks," is

described. In this Utility Model, the overall border of an inner pad member (520a)

attached to a heel is connected to a sock (510a) by stitching (530a) in the shape of the

heel. As a result, the overall inner pad member (520a) is secured to the sock and the

only effect is to prevent dryness of the heels.

In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-235203, entitled "Dryness

Preventing Socks" and illustrated in FIG. 12, formation of calluses caused by dryness

of a heel or sole can be prevented by attaching an inner pad member (520b) inside a sock where the overall border of the inner pad member (520b) is stitched to a sock

(510b) to conform to the shape of the heel. As a result, calluses formed by dryness can

be avoided. However, formation of calluses or blisters caused by friction cannot be

prevented.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic drawing of Japanese Utility Model No. 3021145, the

purpose of which is to prevent dryness of feet in the socks. A central portion of an

inner pad member (520c) is fixedly stitched (530c) to prevent the inner pad member

(520c) from slipping. Thus, it cannot prevent formation of calluses or blisters caused

by friction.

A heel sock for warming feet by way of far-infrared ray disclosed in Japanese Utility

Model No. 3018319 and illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a body member (510d) having a

cut-off front part and an inner pad member (520d) additionally formed inside the body

member (510d), where a marginal portion and a central portion of an inner pad

member (520d) are connectedly sewn (530d) to the body member (510d). Therefore,

in this utility model, there is a drawback in that calluses and blisters caused by friction

cannot be prevented from being formed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is disclosed to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and it is an

object of the present invention to provide a heel protector configured to maximally

restrict friction generated between a heel and a shoe from occurring while walking,

thereby preventing formation of calluses and blisters.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel protector

includes a body member made of a flexible fabric material for being worn on the feet

and an inner pad member coupled to an inside of the body member for accommodation

to an area where a heel is located when the heel protector is worn, wherein both distal

ends of longitudinal direction of the inner pad member are coupled to the body

member, and two areas of the inner pad member accommodated to both lateral sections

of the heel are coupled to the body member, such that the inner pad member can

relatively slide in relation to the body member when the heel protector is worn.

Preferably, the body member has a cylindrically bent shape.

Preferably, the inner pad member has a substantially oblong shape, and each of the two

areas coupled to the body member is a portion of a lateral distal end of the inner pad member.

Preferably, the inner pad member is cut in the shape of a "N" at both longitudinal

central portions of edges thereof.

Preferably, the body member is provided with an elastic band at at least one of upper

and lower distal ends thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference

should be made to the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings,

in which:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of a heel protector according to an embodiment of the

present invention;

FIG 2 is a perspective view of the parts of the heel protector of FIG. 1 before

installation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heel protector according to another embodiment of the

present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heel protector according to still another embodiment

of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heel protector with the inner surface turned out

according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an operational view of a heel protector according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view for illustrating a connected section between a body member

and an inner pad member inside a heel protector according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8 to 10 are perspective views of a heel protector according to still a further

embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 11 to 14 are perspective views illustrating the prior arts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail

with reference to the annexed drawings, where the present embodiments are not

limiting the scope of the present invention but are given only as an illustrative purpose, and throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used for designation of like or equivalent parts or portions for simplicity of illustration and explanation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a heel protector (10) according to the present invention includes a body member (100) and an inner pad member (200).

The body member (100) has a cylindrically bent "L" shape and is made of a flexible

fabric material. In other words, the body member (100) has a shape of a sock cut out at

a front section thereof. Auser may wear the body member (100) just like a sock or may

insert the body member (100) inside a sock to encompass the heel of the user.

It should be appreciated that although a so-called ankle protector having its front

portion cut off will be explained hereinafter, it is evident to those skilled in the art that

the present invention can be applied to a sock with its front portion stitched, and it

belongs to the protective scope of the present invention. In other words, when an

opening of the front section of the body member (100) in FIG. 1 is sewn up to look like

a regular sock, the sewn-up sock belongs to the protective scope of the present

invention.

Furthermore, the inner pad member (200) of a substantially oblong shape for

accommodation to an inside of the body member (100) is coupled to an inner section

of the body member (100) for being snugly fitted to the heel when the sock is worn.

Although the inner pad member (200) is described to have a substantially oblong shape, it should be appreciated that the shape of the inner pad member does not limit the

scope of the present invention as long as it teaches a hereinafter-described technical

characteristic in relation to a coupled shape between the inner pad member and the

body member.

The inner pad member (200) and the body member (100) are sewn for coupling

therebetween. In other words, both longitudinal distal ends of the inner pad member

(200) are stitched to the body member (100) to allow the inner pad member (200) and

the body member (100) to be stitched along the stitching line (210). Furthermore, a

part of both lateral distal ends of the inner pad member (200) are connected to the body

member (100) via thread rings (400). The thread ring (400) serves to tie the inner pad

member (200) and the body member (100) for being snugly fitted to both lateral ends

of the heel.

Referring now to FIG 7, both longitudinal distal ends of the substantially oblong inner

pad member (200) are sewn to the body member (100) by the stitching line (210).

Furthermore, central marginal sections in the longitudinal direction of the inner pad

member (200) are tied to the body member (100) by the thread rings (400) such that

sections to which the body member (100) is not affixed can be relatively moved in the

opposite direction against the body member (100). The central marginal section is a part of lateral distal ends of the inner pad member (200) and corresponds to an area of

the inner pad member (200) accommodated to a lateral section of the heel.

It is preferable that the inner pad member (200) is loosely connected to the body

member (100) in order to promote a relative smooth movement between the inner pad

member (200) and the body member (100).

A predetermined space is formed between longitudinal distal end of the inner pad

member (200) and distal end of the body member (100) as shown in FIG. 1, and a

longitudinal distal end of the inner pad member (200) and a distal end of the body

member (100) may be directly connected as illustrated in FIG 3.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a band (300) for maintaining elasticity may be disposed at an

upper end or a lower end of the body member (100) in order to increase comfort and

stability in wearing the heel protector (10). An ankle can be protected by the band

(300) that wraps and applies pressure to the upper and lower ends of the heel. The band

(300) at the lower end of the body member (100) can further produce an effect of

applying pressure to the sole for remedial treatment.

Now referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates a perspective view of the heel protector with the inner surface turned out, the body member (100) is made of a flexible fabric

material and is formed at both distal ends thereof with a band (300). An inner pad

member of a substantially oblong shape is sewn along a stitching line (210) and both

distal ends of the body member (100). Furthermore, the band (300) and the body

member (100) are coupled by said stitching line (210).

As illustrated in FIG 5, a predetermined amount of space is formed between the inner

pad member (200) and the body member (100) before the heel protector is worn, and

when the heel protector is worn by a user, the body member (100) is stretched or

expanded to fit the shape of a foot and the inner pad member (200) is accommodated

to the heel.

Preferably a predetermined amount of space is formed between the inner pad member

(200) and the body member (100) even after the heel protector is worn such that a

smooth sliding can be effected between the inner pad member (200) and the body

member (100).

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body member

(100) is made of 55% nylon/spandex and 45% cotton. The area contacting the body member at the inner pad member (200) is made of 100% polyester while the area of the inner pad member (200) accommodated to the heel is made of fabric woven with

micro polyester.

The heel protector according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured

such that free movement can be effected between the body member (100) and the inner

pad member (200) due to less friction while greater friction is produced at an area

where the inner pad member (200) and the heel are mutually contacted, thereby

preventing the heel from slipping with the inner pad member (200).

Furthermore, soft and supple artificial fur made of micro polyester is used for an area

contacting the heel at the inner pad member (200) to increase friction with the heel and

to prevent occurrences of skin damage, whereby a comfortable feeling created by

warmth and softness can also be provided when the heel protector according to the

present invention is worn.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate still a further embodiment where all constructions are the same

as those of the previous embodiments except for a 'V cut-out at each marginal center

of the inner pad member (200) such that the inner pad member (200) can be easily

folded at the cut-out section. In this case, inclined surfaces of the 'V cut-out section

overlap each other to be coupled to the body member (100) via the thread ring (400). The operation of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG 6.

When a user wears the heel protector of the present invention on his or her foot, the

heel of the foot is snugly fitted to the inner pad member (200) while other areas of the

foot are supported by the body member (100). A predetermined amount of space is

preferably formed between the inner pad member (200) and the body member (100)

for a smooth sliding therebetween. Preferably, a material of one surface of the inner

pad member (200) contacting the heel has a greater friction force while a material of

the other surface of the inner pad member (200) and a surface material of the body

member (100) contacting thereto have less friction force therebetween. The user may

wear a sock on top of the heel protector.

When the user walks in shoes with the heel protector (10) on, feet move inside the

shoes according to the movement of the feet. Conventionally, friction caused by the

movement of the feet directly or indirectly generates calluses or blisters on the heel of

the feet. However, when the heel protector (10) of the present invention is worn,

friction is generated between the inner pad member (200) and the body member (100)

while walking (as shown in an enlarged, detailed view of FIG. 6), and the heel moves

simultaneously along with the inner pad member (200) such that no direct friction is generated on an area of the heel where calluses or blisters were formed in the past. As

a result, calluses and blisters are effectively prevented from being formed at the bottom

of the heel.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, there is another advantage in the heel

protector of the present invention in that the same operation is applied to the Achilles'

tendon at an upper part of the heel such that blisters prone to be formed by the friction

with a shoe can be prevented. Blisters can be effectively prevented especially when a

new pair of shoes are worn. Although FIG. 6 shows only a case of back and forth

movements, the same effect can be obtained for left and right movements.

Both longitudinal distal ends and a part of both lateral distal ends of the inner pad

member in the heel protector according to the embodiments of the present invention

are affixed to the body member such that the inner pad member (200) and the heel are

simultaneously moved at an area where the heel is substantially accommodated and

calluses and blisters can be formed.

Subsequently, the inner pad member (200) wraps around the heel of the user to thereby

restrict friction from occurring between the heel and the inner pad member (200), and

friction caused by sliding is generated between the inner pad member (200) and the body member (100) to effectively prevent formation of calluses or blisters caused by

the friction between the heel and the shoes.

The inventor of the present invention has discovered that the result of this operation is

most effectively accomplished in the heel protector where both longitudinal distal ends

and a portion (an area where both lateral ends of the heel are accommodated) of both

lateral distal ends of the inner pad member are affixed to the body member (100).

In other words, only some parts (400) of both lateral distal ends of the inner pad

member (200) are affixed to the body member (100). Therefore, movement of the inner

pad member (200) in relation to the body member (100) can be maximally guaranteed,

compared to a case of the entire border of the inner pad member (100) being coupled

to the body member (100). Furthermore, when compared to a case of only both

longitudinal distal ends of the inner pad member (200) being coupled to the body

member (100), a user can easily wear the heel protector, and problems of the inner pad

member being folded or the position of the inner pad member not being fixed can be

addressed. Still furthermore, the heel protector can be manufactured with a simple construction to enable to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the

manufacturing cost. The inventor conducted clinical demonstrations by having a user wear the heel

protectors according to the embodiments of the present invention. A test was

conducted on fifteen male Ssirum (Korean wrestling) athletes and ten male adults in

which they walked 80 kilometers for three nights and four days wearing the heel

protectors (20 kilometers per day totaling 32 hours). Even after the long and tedious

walks, no problems were found on the skins of the heels. In other words, calluses or

blisters were not found on the skins of the heels. Furthermore, it was also verified that

the heel protectors had supported the ankles to provide the wearers psychological

comfort, without resulting in sprained ankles.

The heel protectors according to the embodiments of the present invention are useful

to professionals including athletes, soldiers and the like who are frequently on their

feet. The formation of calluses or blisters can be effectively prevented by the heel

protectors of the present invention even for the general public when they work out,

climb mountains or go for a walk.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has

been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be

exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications

and variations are possible to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the

invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

As apparent from the foregoing, there is an advantage in the heel protector according

to the embodiments of the present invention in that friction generated on heels while

walking can be subdued by an inner pad member to thereby prevent formation of

calluses or blisters. There is another advantage in that the configuration thereof

simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the manufacturing cost.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A heel protector comprising: a body member made of a flexible fabric material for being worn on the feet;

and an inner pad member coupled to an inside of the body member for

accommodation to an area where a heel is located when the heel protector is worn, wherein both distal ends of longitudinal direction of the inner pad member are

coupled to the body member, and two areas of the inner pad member accommodated to

both lateral sections of the heel are coupled to the body member, such that the inner

pad member can relatively slide in relation to the body member when the heel

protector is worn.

2. The heel protector as defined in claim 1, wherein the body member has a

cylindrically bent shape.

3. The heel protector as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner pad member has a

substantially oblong shape, and each of the two areas coupled to the body member is a

portion of a lateral distal end of the inner pad member.

4. The heel protector as defined in claim 3, wherein the inner pad member is cut

in the shape of a "N" at both longitudinal central portions of edges thereof.

5. The heel protector as defined in claim 1, wherein the body member is provided

with an elastic band at at least one of upper and lower distal ends thereof.