Structure of Heel Counter

Abstract

A heel counter is roughly a U-shaped cup. The bottom of the cup is a support part with the effect of uniformly distributing pressure on the heel. The cup rim embraces the surrounding of the heel to provide protection and stability. The cup rim has several hollow parts to reduce the overall hardness, to enhance comfort by providing suitable elasticity, and to circulate air. The bottom surface of the support part of the cup is provided with arc-shaped supporting elastic plate to alleviate pressure on the heel by absorbing shocks. A midfoot and phalanx support part is formed from the cup bottom toward the midfoot. A lateral longitudinal arc support part is formed from the outer side of the cup bottom toward the midfoot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The invention relates to a shoe and, in particular, to an improved heel counter.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]To avoid a sprained ankle due to the sideway motion of the show heel and to prevent vertical motion of the shoe heel due to deformation, the shoe heel is often installed with a hard protector called the heel counter. It is used to fix the shoe heel. The counter is particularly important for motion control shoes.[0005]The structure of a typical heel counter has been detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,430. The counter is roughly a U-shaped cup, whose bottom is the support part to distribute pressure on the heel. The cup rim with a narrow upper part and a wide lower part embraces the surrounding of the heel, providing protection and stability.[0006]The inside of the cup bottom further extends toward the midfoot to form a triangle-like medial longitudinal arch support section.[0007]However, the material of the cup rim of the a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new heel counter that solves common issues in previous designs. The new heel counter is a U-shaped cup with hollow parts to make it easier to flex and cool down. The bottom of the cup also has a flexible elastic plate to absorb shocks and reduce pressure on the heel. These features make the new heel counter more comfortable and improve performance.

Problems solved by technology

Although the heel counter provides protection, the air circulation around the heel is hindered because there is no hollow part.

Such a plastic reduces the comfort of the shoes.

Moreover, although the above-mentioned heel counter has an extended support section to protect the medial longitudinal arch, there is no appropriate protection for the lateral longitudinal arch and the phalanx.

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