High heel reinforcement, high heel shoe and method of manufacture

Abstract

This invention provides a high-heeled shoe reinforcement and a high-heeled shoe including the reinforcement. The high-heeled shoe reinforcement includes: a shank portion for supporting the arch area of ​​the high heel; and a heel stud portion connected to the shank portion at a position corresponding to the heel, and integrally formed with the shank portion. The high-heeled shoe according to this invention eliminates the need for steel studs in the heel, and the connection between the main body and the heel is more secure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of women's shoe manufacturing technology, specifically to a high heel and its shank structure. Background Technology

[0002] As footwear products that enhance posture and aesthetics, the structural stability and safety of high heels are of paramount importance. Existing high heels typically consist of an upper, sole, steel shank, and heel. The steel shank, acting as a support component in the midfoot area of ​​the sole, connects the forefoot and heel, bearing most of the bending stress during wear; the heel is fixedly connected to the back of the sole via its top surface.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream method for fixing shoe heels in the industry is mechanical fastening. For example... Figure 1 (You can add labels as needed) As shown, the standard installation structure is as follows: a through hole is pre-drilled at the rear end of the steel shank, and a steel nail (commonly referred to in the industry as the "heel main nail" or "reinforcing component") is pre-embedded or subsequently driven into the center of the top of the heel. During assembly, the operator places the heel against the back of the sole, allowing the steel nail to pass through the through hole at the rear end of the steel shank. The end of the steel nail is then thickened or bent by hammering or using pneumatic tools, thereby locking the steel shank, sole, and heel together.

[0004] However, the aforementioned split-type connection structure has the following technical drawbacks in practical applications and long-term wear: First, the connection strength has inherent weaknesses. The steel shank and the heel stud are two independently manufactured components, physically locked only through a simple through-hole connection. This connection method is a frictional locking mechanism based on "point contact" or "surface contact," not an integrated structure. Under the harsh conditions of repeated bending and impact in high heels, the steel stud and the edge of the shank hole are prone to fretting wear. After long-term use, the gap between the parts increases, causing the heel to wobble or even fall off.

[0005] Secondly, stress concentration is significant. To achieve lightweight construction, existing steel shanks are typically made from thin sheet metal through stamping, and the edges of the through holes for inserting the steel nails are the areas of highest stress concentration. When the heel is subjected to lateral impact, the impact load is directly transmitted to the shank hole wall via the steel nails, easily leading to fatigue fracture of the shank at this point. Once the steel shank breaks, the high heel loses its support, posing a safety hazard of ankle sprains or falls for the wearer.

[0006] Third, it is difficult to balance assembly precision and durability. To ensure that the steel nail can pass smoothly through the steel hook, the diameter of the through hole usually needs to be larger than the diameter of the steel nail, which leads to an initial assembly gap. In addition, the steel nail may be misaligned during the driving process, resulting in an incorrect heel posture; and the coating on the surface of the steel nail is easily damaged under strong impact, which can become a source of corrosion in a humid environment, accelerating the deterioration of the overall structure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a high-heeled shoe reinforcement component with high structural strength, stable connection, safety and reliability, and lightweight design, as well as a high-heeled shoe containing the reinforcement component.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides a high-heeled shoe reinforcement member, comprising: The shank section is the area used to support the arch of the foot in high heels; The main heel stud is connected to the shank portion at the position corresponding to the heel, and is integrally formed with the shank portion.

[0009] The core improvement in the technical solution of this invention lies in integrating the traditionally separate shank and connecting pin into a single, integral structural component. This structural design eliminates the assembly gaps and weak connections between the original components, allowing the load from the heel to be transmitted more evenly and directly to the entire shank, significantly improving the overall structural rigidity and load-bearing capacity of the reinforcement.

[0010] In one specific embodiment, the shank has a shape and size corresponding to the sole, specifically it can be a strip with the shape and size of a traditional high-heeled shoe shank, so as to be compatible with existing sole manufacturing processes.

[0011] In this invention, the reinforcing member can be formed from fiber-reinforced composite materials. By selecting different fiber types and matrix resins, customized performance designs can be achieved.

[0012] The fiber can be one or more of the following: organic synthetic fibers (such as polyamide fibers, aramid fibers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers, etc.), inorganic fibers (such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, etc.) and natural fibers (such as hemp fibers, bamboo fibers, etc.).

[0013] As another feasible solution, the reinforcement can also be made of metal material, for example, by precision casting or CNC machining to obtain excellent metal strength and texture.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention provides a high heel shoe comprising the high heel shoe reinforcement member described in any of the above-mentioned technical solutions. In this high heel shoe, the heel stud portion of the reinforcement member is inserted into and firmly fixed inside the heel, while the shank portion is fitted and fixed to the midsole of the high heel shoe.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the high-heeled shoe reinforcement and high-heeled shoes provided by the general and specific embodiments of the present invention have the following significant technical effects: (1) Significantly improved connection stability and safety: By making the shank and the heel main nail part an integral molded structure, the problem of loosening and breaking due to weak connection points in traditional split structures is fundamentally solved. As a natural extension of the shank, the heel main nail part can efficiently transfer the impact force and bending moment borne by the heel to the entire shank, avoiding stress concentration and greatly reducing the risk of the heel falling off. At the same time, it significantly improves the safety of high heels compared to the traditional screw method. Combined with the surface treatment, structural adhesive bonding and other multiple fixing processes described in this disclosure, the bonding strength between the heel main nail part and the heel far exceeds the existing level.

[0016] (2) Excellent mechanical properties and lightweight effect: When using fiber-reinforced composite materials, this invention can make full use of their high specific strength and high specific modulus. Compared with traditional metal shanks, while maintaining or even improving the support strength, the weight can be significantly reduced (for example, carbon fiber composite materials can reduce weight by 30%-50%), making the wearer lighter and more comfortable. At the same time, the excellent fatigue resistance of composite materials can effectively extend the service life of the product.

[0017] (3) Excellent corrosion resistance and environmental adaptability: Fiber-reinforced composite materials (such as glass fiber and carbon fiber) have natural water resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, avoiding the problem of traditional metal hooks rusting and failing due to sweat or humid environment, ensuring the reliability and aesthetics of the product for long-term use.

[0018] (4) Flexible designability: Composite materials offer a wide range of material choices. Designers can flexibly select fiber types (such as high-modulus carbon fiber for ultimate support and tough aramid for impact resistance), layup methods, and resin systems according to the performance requirements of different shoe styles (such as ultra-high heels, stiletto heels, and wedge heels) to achieve customized performance design. At the same time, the one-piece molding process also simplifies the subsequent assembly process.

[0019] In summary, this invention effectively solves the key technical challenges of high-heel shoe support structures through structural innovation and material optimization. It combines high safety, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and high designability, and has high practical value and market potential. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a typical high-heeled shoe in the prior art; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a heel reinforcement component according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a heel reinforcement component according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a high-heeled shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the reinforcing member includes an integrally formed shank portion 11 and a heel stud portion 12. The shank portion 11 serves as the main support component of the high heel, and its shape and size are designed according to the shape of the high heel sole. In this embodiment, the shank portion 11 is a strip-shaped structure, its outline roughly consistent with the metal shank of traditional high heels, and it has a curved shape matching the curvature of the human foot arch. It is used to fit snugly against the midsole of the sole, supporting the arch and maintaining the shape of the sole. Its length typically covers the main stress area from the rear of the forefoot to the front of the heel.

[0023] The main heel stud 12 is connected to the shank 11 at the position corresponding to the heel installation, and is integrally formed with the shank 11 through processes such as molding, injection molding, or 3D printing. The main function of the main heel stud 12 is to be inserted into the interior of the heel of the high heel. The shape of the main stud 12 can be columnar or conical. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the main stud 12 can have barbs, grooves, protrusions, or other structures as anchoring structures connecting the shank and the heel, ensuring the stability of the connection between the heel and the sole.

[0024] Figure 3 This invention illustrates a heel reinforcement according to another preferred embodiment, in which the shape and size of the shank portion 11 correspond to the shape and size of the sole. The connection between the heel stud portion and the shank portion is a point connection, a line connection, or a surface connection.

[0025] In one specific embodiment, the reinforcing member is formed of a metal material and can be injection molded or compression molded. Based on Example 1, the material of the reinforcing member has been optimized.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing member is made of fiber-reinforced composite material, which is a multiphase solid material composed of reinforcing fibers and matrix materials. This material can effectively improve the strength, stiffness, and fatigue resistance of the reinforcing member, while reducing weight and increasing corrosion resistance.

[0027] The fibers used for reinforcement can be synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers, and natural fibers.

[0028] Organic synthetic fibers, including but not limited to: polyamide fibers (nylon fibers), which have excellent toughness, abrasion resistance and impact resistance, and can effectively absorb vibrations during walking; aramid fibers (such as Kevlar fibers), which are known for their high specific strength, high impact resistance and good heat resistance, and can significantly improve the puncture resistance and fracture resistance of reinforcements; polyethylene fibers, as one of the fibers with the highest specific strength, have a density lower than water, which can achieve extreme lightweighting, while also having excellent impact resistance and abrasion resistance; and polyester fibers, which have good fatigue resistance and dimensional stability, and are relatively inexpensive.

[0029] Inorganic fibers include, but are not limited to: glass fiber, which is cost-effective, has high tensile strength and good elongation at break, and is a commonly used reinforcing material; carbon fiber, which has extremely high specific strength and specific modulus, excellent rigidity and extremely light weight, and is suitable for ultra-high heels or lightweight shoes with extremely high performance requirements; and basalt fiber, which is natural, environmentally friendly and corrosion-resistant, and has strength close to that of glass fiber.

[0030] Examples of natural fibers include flax, jute, hemp, and bamboo fibers. These fibers are renewable and biodegradable, making them a preferred option.

[0031] The matrix material can be a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, while the thermosetting resin can be an unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, etc. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyamide (nylon), polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), etc.

[0032] In a typical embodiment of this application, the high heels according to the present invention are prepared by the following steps: Step 1), Component preparation: such as Figure 4 As shown, the shoe includes an upper 2, the aforementioned high-heeled shoe reinforcement 1, a platform (outsole) 3, a heel 4, and a top leather 5. The midsole and insole located between the reinforcement 1 and the upper are not shown in the figure. When using... Figure 3 If the reinforcing member shown is made of fiber-reinforced material, the midsole can be replaced by this reinforcing member.

[0033] Step 2), Heel Hole Drilling: On the top end face of the heel 4 of the high heel, pre-drill a mounting hole that matches the shape and size of the heel stud portion 12 on the reinforcement. The depth of this hole should be slightly deeper than the length of the heel stud portion 12 to accommodate the adhesive.

[0034] Step 3), Surface Treatment: Surface treat the outer surface of the heel main nail 12 and the inner wall of the heel mounting hole to enhance adhesion. Treatment methods include, but are not limited to: Physical treatment: Sandblasting, grinding, or mechanical roughening are performed to create a micro-rough surface and increase the contact area.

[0035] Chemical treatment: Coating with a coupling agent solution (such as silane coupling agent) improves the chemical bonding between inorganic fiber composite materials and organic adhesives or shoe heel materials (such as ABS plastic, wood, leather, etc.).

[0036] Structural design: If the main heel spike 12 itself is designed with barbs, grooves or threads, this step can further enhance the mechanical locking force.

[0037] Step 4), Apply adhesive: Apply a uniform layer of high-strength adhesive to the heel main nail section 12 and / or the mounting holes of the heel. The adhesive must be able to bond both the reinforcement material and the heel material simultaneously. Optional adhesives include: Epoxy resin structural adhesive: high bonding strength, good aging resistance, suitable for most material combinations.

[0038] Polyurethane adhesive: It has good toughness, impact resistance, and good adhesion to a variety of plastics and wood.

[0039] Acrylic structural adhesives: fast curing speed and high strength.

[0040] Step 5), Insertion and Curing: Align the pre-drilled hole of the waterproof platform 3 with the adhesive-coated heel 4, align the heel main nail 12, and slowly insert it into the mounting hole of the heel, ensuring it is fully in place. Remove any excess adhesive. Place the assembled heel and reinforcement in a dedicated clamp and fix them in place. Allow it to stand according to the curing conditions of the selected adhesive (room temperature or heating) until the adhesive is completely cured, forming a strong whole.

[0041] Step 6), Assemble the shoe body: The shank 11, with its pre-cured heel reinforcement, is attached to the arch area of ​​the high-heeled shoe midsole using adhesive or mechanical fastening. Then the midsole, insole, and upper are installed.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. The main innovative points of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Many other details or minor aspects of the present invention have not been fully described. Those skilled in the art can obtain these details based on general knowledge or conventional methods after receiving the teachings herein.

Claims

1. A high-heeled shoe reinforcement component, characterized in that, include: Hooked part (11). The main heel stud (12) is connected to the shank (11) at the position corresponding to the heel and is integrally formed with the shank.

2. The high-heeled shoe reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shank has a shape and size corresponding to the sole.

3. The high-heeled shoe reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shank is a strip-shaped part, with the shape and size of the shank of a traditional high heel.

4. The high-heeled shoe reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is formed from fiber-reinforced composite materials.

5. The high-heeled shoe reinforcement according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fiber is one of nylon fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, and natural fiber.

6. A type of high heel, characterized in that, It includes the high-heeled shoe reinforcement as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

7. The method for preparing high heels according to claim 6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Component preparation: Provide upper (2), the above-mentioned high heel reinforcement (1), platform (3), heel (4), top leather (5), midsole and insole; Heel opening: A mounting hole is pre-drilled on the top end face of the heel to match the shape and size of the heel master stud on the reinforcement; Apply adhesive: Apply adhesive evenly to the heel main nail and / or the mounting hole of the heel; Insertion and curing: Align the pre-drilled hole of the waterproof platform with the adhesive applied to the heel, align the main nail of the heel and slowly insert it into the mounting hole of the heel, and then cure the adhesive to form a solid whole; Assemble the shoe body: Combine the assembly obtained in the above steps with the remaining parts of the shoe to obtain the high heel.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The reinforcing member is formed of fiber-reinforced composite material, and the midsole can be replaced by this reinforcing member.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Further, surface treatment is applied to the outer surface of the heel main nail and the inner wall of the heel mounting hole to enhance adhesion.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The surface treatment involves designing barbs, grooves, or threads on the main nail part of the heel.

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