Footwear donnable without use of hands and heel counter for same

Abstract

A shoe donnable without use of hands and a heel counter of same are provided. The shoe has an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening being a topline. The heel counter is located at a rear portion of the upper and has a front profile, a rear profile, and a flared top formed form the front profile extending back further than an upper portion of the rear profile. The flared top of the heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. The front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis. The upper rim of the heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs a person’s foot into the shoe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of US Patent Application No. 19 / 545,262 filed February 20, 2026 and entitled “FOOTWEAR DONNABLE WITHOUT USE OF HANDS AND HEEL COUNTER FOR SAME”, which claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 763,035 filed February 25, 2025 and entitled “FOOTWEAR DONNABLE WITHOUT USE OF HANDS AND HEEL COUNTER FOR SAME”, the entirety of the latter of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention is directed to a heel counter or a portion of a heel counter of a shoe or other footwear, and in particular a heel counter that is designed to allow for easier entry of the wearer’s foot into the footwear, especially with limited or no involvement of the user’s hands, as well as footwear having same.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Herein, the term “shoe” is being used to refer any type of footwear with a counter or back, including flats, heels, boots, sneakers, and any other type of footwear that has a heel counter.

[0004] The heel counter is one of the most important features in a shoe, as it provides stability to the foot and also longevity to the shoe. Without reinforced heel counters, a shoe will lose it shape and will provide limited support to the foot.

[0005] A conventional shoe 106 is shown in FIG. 1. Shoe 106 typically includes upper 107 having a foot-receiving shoe opening 109, the rim of which is typically referred to as the topline or throat 108. Heel counter 110 is positioned at the back of the shoe where the wearer’s heel bone typically sits. As shown in FIG. 1, heel counter 110 terminates at topline 108, and it is concave about a vertical axis V. Topline 108 is concave about left-right horizontal axis H above heel counter 110.

[0006] Conventionally, when donning footwear such as shoes, the user typically must use one or both hands to insert the foot inside the shoe, or otherwise utilize a shoehorn separate from the shoe to insert the foot into the shoe and secure the quarter (the rear portion of the shoe) from collapsing under the heel. Often, people will not bother, or they perhaps have a physical limitation (e.g., a bad hip) that prevents them from bending down all the way to touch their shoe with their hands while attempting to don the shoe. Instead, they will simply jam their foot into the shoe, often squashing the quarter, perhaps adjusting the quarter after their foot is inside the shoe. This is not ideal for the shoe, since most shoe quarters are not designed for this type of repeated squashing (even though many people do it all the time). As such, the quarter becomes deformed or damaged over time, leading to discomfort, a lack of support for the wearer’s foot, and / or the hastened destruction and unusability of the shoe.

[0007] There have been some attempts in the field to alleviate this problem. One such attempt has been made by Skechers USA, Inc. of Manhattan Beach, CA. The Skechers hands-free shoe features an intentionally deformable or squashable heel counter. When the user jams their foot into the shoe without use of hands, the heel counter deliberately flexes and folds to accommodate the foot. This solution is imperfect for two reasons. First, it is more curated towards athletic or comfort shoes, utilizing technologies that enable the heel counter to be squashed. This look does not work well with dress shoes or the like. Second, any material, no matter how elastic it is initially, will plastically deform over time. In this case, it is another portion of the shoe that can wear out.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a long-felt need for a shoe into which a person can easily insert their foot without using their hands and without damage to the shoe. Relatedly, there is a long-felt need for non-athletic footwear into which a person can insert their foot without using their hands and without damage to the shoe.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is a shoe having an outsized heel counter top portion that flares outwardly. It is situated at the top area of the heel counter. It is preferably rigid, non-deformable, and unyielding. The inventive heel counter and shoe having same is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis and substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis.

[0010] The uniquely shaped heel counter enables one to slide their foot inside the shoe without bending down or using their hands.

[0011] In one embodiment, the invention is a shoe that is able to be put on, hereinafter “donnable” without use of hands. The shoe includes an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline. The shoe includes a heel counter located at a rear portion of the upper, the heel counter including a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from the front profile extending back further than an upper portion of the rear profile. The flared top of the heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter is concave about a vertical axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter extends above the topline.

[0013] In one embodiment, the heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of the heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs a person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0014] Preferably, the heel counter is rigid and does not deform when the heel counter guides the person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. In one embodiment, the heel counter is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0015] In one embodiment, the invention is a heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands, the shoe having an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline. The inventive heel counter includes a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from the front profile extending back further than an upper portion of the rear profile. The heel counter is located at a rear portion of the upper, and the flared top of the heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0016] In one embodiment, the front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter is concave about a vertical axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter extends above the topline.

[0017] In one embodiment, the heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of the heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs a person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. The heel counter is preferably rigid and does not deform when the heel counter guides the person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. The heel counter may be made from thermoplastic polyurethane.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is schematic of a conventional shoe having a heel counter.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side perspective schematic of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 includes top and sectional views of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with first exemplary dimensions.

[0021] FIG. 4 includes top and sectional views of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with second exemplary dimensions.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view schematic of a shoe having an embodiment of the invention disposed thereon.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

[0023] Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-5. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

[0024] The inventive heel counter is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis like most heel counters so that the heel of a foot can rest comfortably in the shoe. However, the inventive heel counter is preferably substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis. (Alternatively, rather than convex, the upper profile of the heel counter can be straight but at an angle to horizontal to serve as a ramp for the foot being inserted into the shoe.) This structure enables the person’s foot to slide easily into the shoe. The upper rim of the heel counter flanges back above the topline of the shoe to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs the person’s foot into the foot-receiving opening.

[0025] With specific reference to the figures, FIG. 2 is a side perspective schematic of exemplary heel counter 10, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and sectional views of exemplary heel counter 10. Heel counter 10 includes a front profile 12 that is preferably convex about a left-right horizontal axis H (which is into and out of the plane of FIG. 2). Rear profile 14 is preferably suitably concave. Front profile 12 extends back further than the upper portion of rear profile 14, resulting in flared top 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, heel counter 10 is concave about vertical axis V (which is into and out of the planes of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively).

[0026] The inventive heel counter and its unique shape maintains the clean appeal and appearance of, e.g., a dress shoe such as an Oxford or the like without changing the overall appearance and purpose of the shoe.

[0027] Exemplary dimensions are provided in FIGS. 3 and 4 which should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the larger dimensions provided in FIG. 3 may be suitable for men’s shoes, while the smaller dimensions provided in FIG. 4 may be suitable for women’s shoes. Different dimensions may be provided for each shoe size or range of shoe sizes without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view schematic of a shoe 6 having heel counter 10 disposed thereon. As shown in FIG. 5, heel counter 10 is disposed at the rear of shoe 6 rising above topline 8. Flared top 16 of heel counter 10 acts like a ramp or funnel or similar structure to direct the foot to be inserted into shoe 6.

[0029] Heel counter 10 is preferably rigid and unyielding, and it does not collapse or deform when a person puts their foot into the shoe and counter 10 guides it in. In one embodiment, heel counter 10 is made from thermoplastic polyurethane via injection molding, although other materials and methods of manufacture are also contemplated. Counter 10 is preferably glued to the rest of the shoe, although other methods of securement are also contemplated.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, another advantage of the invention is that it usually creates a higher counter on an otherwise regular shoe, for those embodiments in which the heel counter extends above the topline. This allows for faster walking or even running without the user’s foot slipping out of the shoe.

[0031] It should be understood that, in the context of this disclosure, “at least one of” followed by a series of elements means any one of the elements in the series or any combination of the elements in the series, including all of the elements. So, for example, a recitation of “at least one of A, B, or C” means any of A, B, C, A+B, A+C, B+C, or A+B+C.

[0032] Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above description or the attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and includes any equivalents thereof as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-5. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

[0024]The inventive heel counter is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis like most heel counters so that the heel of a foot can rest comfortably in the shoe. However, the inventive heel counter is preferably substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis. (Alternatively, rather than convex, the upper profile of the heel counter can be straight but at an angle to horizontal to serve as a ramp for the foot being inserted into the shoe.) This structure enables the person’s foot to slide easily into the shoe. The upper rim of the heel counter flanges back above the topline of the shoe to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs the person’s foot into the foot-receiving opening.

[0025]With sp...

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of US Patent Application No. 19 / 545,262 filed February 20, 2026 and entitled “FOOTWEAR DONNABLE WITHOUT USE OF HANDS AND HEEL COUNTER FOR SAME”, which claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 763,035 filed February 25, 2025 and entitled “FOOTWEAR DONNABLE WITHOUT USE OF HANDS AND HEEL COUNTER FOR SAME”, the entirety of the latter of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention is directed to a heel counter or a portion of a heel counter of a shoe or other footwear, and in particular a heel counter that is designed to allow for easier entry of the wearer’s foot into the footwear, especially with limited or no involvement of the user’s hands, as well as footwear having same.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Herein, the term “shoe” is being used to refer any type of footwear with a counter or back, including flats, heels, boots, sneakers, and any other type of footwear that has a heel counter.

[0004] The heel counter is one of the most important features in a shoe, as it provides stability to the foot and also longevity to the shoe. Without reinforced heel counters, a shoe will lose it shape and will provide limited support to the foot.

[0005] A conventional shoe 106 is shown in FIG. 1. Shoe 106 typically includes upper 107 having a foot-receiving shoe opening 109, the rim of which is typically referred to as the topline or throat 108. Heel counter 110 is positioned at the back of the shoe where the wearer’s heel bone typically sits. As shown in FIG. 1, heel counter 110 terminates at topline 108, and it is concave about a vertical axis V. Topline 108 is concave about left-right horizontal axis H above heel counter 110.

[0006] Conventionally, when donning footwear such as shoes, the user typically must use one or both hands to insert the foot inside the shoe, or otherwise utilize a shoehorn separate from the shoe to insert the foot into the shoe and secure the quarter (the rear portion of the shoe) from collapsing under the heel. Often, people will not bother, or they perhaps have a physical limitation (e.g., a bad hip) that prevents them from bending down all the way to touch their shoe with their hands while attempting to don the shoe. Instead, they will simply jam their foot into the shoe, often squashing the quarter, perhaps adjusting the quarter after their foot is inside the shoe. This is not ideal for the shoe, since most shoe quarters are not designed for this type of repeated squashing (even though many people do it all the time). As such, the quarter becomes deformed or damaged over time, leading to discomfort, a lack of support for the wearer’s foot, and / or the hastened destruction and unusability of the shoe.

[0007] There have been some attempts in the field to alleviate this problem. One such attempt has been made by Skechers USA, Inc. of Manhattan Beach, CA. The Skechers hands-free shoe features an intentionally deformable or squashable heel counter. When the user jams their foot into the shoe without use of hands, the heel counter deliberately flexes and folds to accommodate the foot. This solution is imperfect for two reasons. First, it is more curated towards athletic or comfort shoes, utilizing technologies that enable the heel counter to be squashed. This look does not work well with dress shoes or the like. Second, any material, no matter how elastic it is initially, will plastically deform over time. In this case, it is another portion of the shoe that can wear out.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a long-felt need for a shoe into which a person can easily insert their foot without using their hands and without damage to the shoe. Relatedly, there is a long-felt need for non-athletic footwear into which a person can insert their foot without using their hands and without damage to the shoe.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is a shoe having an outsized heel counter top portion that flares outwardly. It is situated at the top area of the heel counter. It is preferably rigid, non-deformable, and unyielding. The inventive heel counter and shoe having same is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis and substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis.

[0010] The uniquely shaped heel counter enables one to slide their foot inside the shoe without bending down or using their hands.

[0011] In one embodiment, the invention is a shoe that is able to be put on, hereinafter “donnable” without use of hands. The shoe includes an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline. The shoe includes a heel counter located at a rear portion of the upper, the heel counter including a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from the front profile extending back further than an upper portion of the rear profile. The flared top of the heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter is concave about a vertical axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter extends above the topline.

[0013] In one embodiment, the heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of the heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs a person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0014] Preferably, the heel counter is rigid and does not deform when the heel counter guides the person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. In one embodiment, the heel counter is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0015] In one embodiment, the invention is a heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands, the shoe having an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline. The inventive heel counter includes a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from the front profile extending back further than an upper portion of the rear profile. The heel counter is located at a rear portion of the upper, and the flared top of the heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

[0016] In one embodiment, the front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter is concave about a vertical axis. In one embodiment, the heel counter extends above the topline.

[0017] In one embodiment, the heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of the heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs a person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. The heel counter is preferably rigid and does not deform when the heel counter guides the person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe. The heel counter may be made from thermoplastic polyurethane.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is schematic of a conventional shoe having a heel counter.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side perspective schematic of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 includes top and sectional views of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with first exemplary dimensions.

[0021] FIG. 4 includes top and sectional views of a heel counter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with second exemplary dimensions.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view schematic of a shoe having an embodiment of the invention disposed thereon.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

[0023] Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-5. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

[0024] The inventive heel counter is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis like most heel counters so that the heel of a foot can rest comfortably in the shoe. However, the inventive heel counter is preferably substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis. (Alternatively, rather than convex, the upper profile of the heel counter can be straight but at an angle to horizontal to serve as a ramp for the foot being inserted into the shoe.) This structure enables the person’s foot to slide easily into the shoe. The upper rim of the heel counter flanges back above the topline of the shoe to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs the person’s foot into the foot-receiving opening.

[0025] With specific reference to the figures, FIG. 2 is a side perspective schematic of exemplary heel counter 10, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and sectional views of exemplary heel counter 10. Heel counter 10 includes a front profile 12 that is preferably convex about a left-right horizontal axis H (which is into and out of the plane of FIG. 2). Rear profile 14 is preferably suitably concave. Front profile 12 extends back further than the upper portion of rear profile 14, resulting in flared top 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, heel counter 10 is concave about vertical axis V (which is into and out of the planes of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively).

[0026] The inventive heel counter and its unique shape maintains the clean appeal and appearance of, e.g., a dress shoe such as an Oxford or the like without changing the overall appearance and purpose of the shoe.

[0027] Exemplary dimensions are provided in FIGS. 3 and 4 which should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the larger dimensions provided in FIG. 3 may be suitable for men’s shoes, while the smaller dimensions provided in FIG. 4 may be suitable for women’s shoes. Different dimensions may be provided for each shoe size or range of shoe sizes without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view schematic of a shoe 6 having heel counter 10 disposed thereon. As shown in FIG. 5, heel counter 10 is disposed at the rear of shoe 6 rising above topline 8. Flared top 16 of heel counter 10 acts like a ramp or funnel or similar structure to direct the foot to be inserted into shoe 6.

[0029] Heel counter 10 is preferably rigid and unyielding, and it does not collapse or deform when a person puts their foot into the shoe and counter 10 guides it in. In one embodiment, heel counter 10 is made from thermoplastic polyurethane via injection molding, although other materials and methods of manufacture are also contemplated. Counter 10 is preferably glued to the rest of the shoe, although other methods of securement are also contemplated.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, another advantage of the invention is that it usually creates a higher counter on an otherwise regular shoe, for those embodiments in which the heel counter extends above the topline. This allows for faster walking or even running without the user’s foot slipping out of the shoe.

[0031] It should be understood that, in the context of this disclosure, “at least one of” followed by a series of elements means any one of the elements in the series or any combination of the elements in the series, including all of the elements. So, for example, a recitation of “at least one of A, B, or C” means any of A, B, C, A+B, A+C, B+C, or A+B+C.

[0032] Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above description or the attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and includes any equivalents thereof as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Description will now be given with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-5. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

[0024]The inventive heel counter is substantially concavely curved around a vertical axis like most heel counters so that the heel of a foot can rest comfortably in the shoe. However, the inventive heel counter is preferably substantially convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis. (Alternatively, rather than convex, the upper profile of the heel counter can be straight but at an angle to horizontal to serve as a ramp for the foot being inserted into the shoe.) This structure enables the person’s foot to slide easily into the shoe. The upper rim of the heel counter flanges back above the topline of the shoe to form a funnel- or ramp-like structure that directs the person’s foot into the foot-receiving opening.

[0025]With sp...

Claims

1. A shoe donnable without use of hands, comprising: an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of said foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline; a heel counter located at a rear portion of said upper, said heel counter comprising: a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from said front profile extending back further than an upper portion of said rear profile, wherein said flared top of said heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into said foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into said shoe.

2. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis.

3. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis.

4. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said heel counter is concave about a vertical axis.

5. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said heel counter extends above said topline.

6. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of said heel counter flanges backwards above said topline to form a structure that directs a person’s foot into said foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into said shoe.

7. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said heel counter is rigid and does not deform when said heel counter guides the person’s foot into said foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into said shoe.

8. A shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 1, wherein said heel counter is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.

9. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands, the shoe having an upper, the upper defining a foot-receiving shoe opening, an upper rim of the foot-receiving shoe opening including a topline, said heel counter comprising: a front profile; a rear profile; and a flared top formed from said front profile extending back further than an upper portion of said rear profile, wherein said heel counter is located at a rear portion of said upper, and wherein said flared top of said heel counter serves to direct a person’s foot to be inserted into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

10. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said front profile is convex about a left-right horizontal axis.

11. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said rear profile is concave about a left-right horizontal axis.

12. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said heel counter is concave about a vertical axis.

13. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said heel counter extends above the topline.

14. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said heel counter is convexly curved around a left-right horizontal axis and an upper rim of said heel counter flanges backwards above the topline to form a structure that directs a person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

15. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said heel counter is rigid and does not deform when said heel counter guides the person’s foot into the foot-receiving shoe opening and thence into the shoe.

16. A heel counter of a shoe donnable without use of hands according to claim 9, wherein said heel counter is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.

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