Shoe Heel Counter

Abstract

A counter for a shoe having an upper, a lining configured to be connected with the upper along a top edge of the shoe, a cushioning heel pillow arranged in a position opposite the heel of a wearer's foot, and an insole forming a foot bed of the shoe. The counter includes a member having an upper edge having a cut-out region forming a valley, a lower edge forming an anchor region, and first and second side wings. The counter is configured to be positioned between the lining and the upper at a heel portion of the shoe such that, in an assembled shoe, the first and second side wings wrap around the heel of the shoe and the valley accommodates an extension of the heel pillow therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 62 / 277,247, filed Jan. 11, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is directed to an improvement for women's shoes and, particularly, shoes of the high-heeled type that do not have a heel strap.[0004]Discussion of Related Art[0005]A loose-fitting shoe, such as a high-heeled shoe of the strapless type, will cause discomfort to a wearer. This is partially due to unwanted movement of the heel of the wearer's foot within the shoe. This movement causes rubbing of the heel portion of the foot against the inside upper portion of the shoe, which leads to chafing and / or blistering. In addition, known shoes include a counter member, which is also located between the upper and the lining and which extends at the back of the shoe across both ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a shoe with a counter that creates a valley to accommodate an extension of the heel pillow. The counter includes a member with an upper edge having a cut-out region forming a valley, a lower edge forming an anchor region, and first and second side wings. The counter is positioned between the lining and the upper at a heel portion of the shoe such that, in an assembled shoe, the first and second side wings wrap around the heel of the shoe and the valley accommodates an extension of the heel pillow. The counter can be made of leather, synthetic material, fiberboard, or thermoplastic material. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a comfortable and comfortable shoe with a cushioning heel pillow that is extended through a cut-out region in the counter.

Problems solved by technology

A loose-fitting shoe, such as a high-heeled shoe of the strapless type, will cause discomfort to a wearer.

This is partially due to unwanted movement of the heel of the wearer's foot within the shoe.

This movement causes rubbing of the heel portion of the foot against the inside upper portion of the shoe, which leads to chafing and / or blistering.

A drawback of the shoe described above and depicted in FIG. 1, using the conventional counter 102 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is that there is no comfort provided to the region of the wearer's heel.

As a result, rubbing or chafing will occur which, oftentimes, results in the wearer attaching one or more padded bandages to the sore area of the foot.

However, such grips require the wearer to apply them and they are subject to slipping off.

Additionally, the presence of the upper portion of the conventional counter tends to position the cushion too far forward, creating an uncomfortable pressure on the user's heel.

Moreover, the grip has a tendency to not remain stationary, thus creating an unsightly appearance.

However, when the counter of the prior art is included in the shoe containing the heel pillow, a portion of the counter extends over the heel pillow, with a result that a portion of the counter is positioned forward due to the added thickness provided by the heel pillow.

This results in an extra thickness of the shoe upper in that region which, in turn, causes increased pressure on the wearer's heel and resulting discomfort on the wearer.

Images