Shoe pad for reducing foot sliding

Abstract

A shoe pad designed to reduce foot sliding in high-heel shoes is disclosed. The pad comprises a soft plastic, rubber, or polymer body installed atop the shoe insole's heel area. One embodiment includes a cantilevered beam embedded within the pad, extending over the insole to provide spring-like support, countering downward foot weight and redistributing load from the ball of the foot to the arch. Another embodiment features an adhesive pad with pressure-sensitive adhesive on both top and bottom surfaces, enhancing frictional resistance to prevent sliding. A third embodiment incorporates interlocking mechanical structures, such as protrusions, for secure attachment to the foot or pantyhose. These embodiments are designed reduce strain on feet and improve comfort..Adhesive or mechanical locking aids stable installation, with optional integration into pantyhose.

Description

PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO SHOE PAD FOR REDUCING FOOT SLIDING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application 63 / 732,658, titled HIGH HEEL PAIN RELIEF SHOE PAD, filed on September 6, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention generally relates to a footwear accessory, and, more specifically, to an accessory for high-heel shoes, and, even more particularly, to a shoe pad designed to reduce pain and increase comfort for wearers of high-heel shoes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] High heels trace their origins to the 10th century in Persia, where they were initially designed as practical footwear for male cavalry riders to secure their feet in stirrups while shooting arrows on horseback, later spreading to Europe in the late 16th century as a symbol of masculinity and status among aristocratic men, such as King Louis XIV of France, who popularized them to enhance height and authority. By the 18th century, heels became associated with femininity, evolving into slimmer, more decorative styles worn primarily by women to accentuate posture and gait. The modern stiletto heel emerged in the mid-20th century with advancements in materials such as steel and plastic, solidifying high heels as a staple of women's fashion despite their ancient roots in male utility.

[0004] High heels persist in society largely as a way to enhance female attractiveness, even as they may inflict physical pain and restrict mobility for women. They elongate the legs, arch the back, and accentuate curves, and thereby may enhance a woman's perceived appeal and perhaps elicit more favorable responses from men in social interactions. Thus, high heels endure despite drawbacks to the wearers.

[0005] Footpads are one solution to address the drawbacks of high heels. The primary function of many footpads is to reduce pressure points of the heel, ball of the foot, and toes. Some footpads have cushions to distribute the pressure in the heel, arch, or ball of the foot area. These footpads are generally made of foam, rubber, or plastics (polymers) with different densities of materials that can be made non-uniform inPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO thickness and in shape. The resultant pressure gradient for these footpads (i.e. between the foot bottom surface and the shoe) in shoes is generally flatter than without the footpads, reducing the peak pressure to a more manageable level. The location of peak pressure will vary, depending on the shoe type, the wearer, and how they are worn. The problem with heeled shoes, specifically medium to high heel shoes, is that the foot slides down the inclined surface of the heel of the shoe. This causes the person’s toes to be jammed against the shoe material at the toe of the shoe. The steeper the incline, the larger the downward load. Other factors are the weight of the person and, again, the style of shoe.

[0006] The toe area of the shoe can come in many forms and shapes. For example, there may be straps above the insole holding the toe area in place. Some shoes cover the toe area and come to a point that is triangular in shape at the shoe tip area. As the foot slides down the shoe, due to the inclined surface of the insole, the foot gets forced into the shoe tip area. The result, especially, can be painful and even debilitating over time. For example, in the shoe that generally comes to a point at the toe, due to a converging side load on the toes, especially on the outer side of the large toe and small toe. The load forces the large and smaller toes inward towards the interior toes. With prolonged wearing of the shoes, the side tendon located on the side of the large toe can stretch, become irritated, and become inflamed. This, along with excessive rubbing in the toe area, can cause bunions and toe alignment problems where the large toe no longer points forward but is bent towards the other toes even when heeled shoes are off. This can cause pain, walking problems, fatigue of the toe tendons, and inflammation in the toe area as well as toe crowding, sometimes leading to surgery. Generally, current footpads do not restrain the foot from moving from the heel towards the ball of the shoe.

[0007] In the case of a shoe with straps, these straps generally wrapping around the front of the shin near the ankle in a high heel shoe or sandals, straps offer some resistance to the sliding motion in the direction from the heel to the ball, but not a significant amount. The straps near the toe of the shoe take up most of the sliding load. The width of the straps is generally small, providing significant pressure on the toes and sides of the foot.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO

[0008] The main problem with the conventional footpads and shoe straps is that neither adequately prevents the foot from sliding down the shoe towards the ball and the front of the shoe. As noted, the problem of the sides of the foot jamming against the strap or upper boot of the shoe, especially the big toe being pushed inward that can cause bunions, fatigue, inflammation, soreness, pain, and can lead to eventual permanent foot problems. Another potential problem is the stretching of the toe tendons, especially in the large toe, resulting in rubbing, distortion, and poor circulation in the toe area. Another problem is developing calluses in the ball, sides, and top of the foot due to the constant rubbing of the shoe straps on the toe and side area of the foot.

[0009] Therefore, there is a long-felt need for a solution that allows people to wear high heels for the benefits sought by wearing them while reducing or eliminating the drawback of excessive pressure being directed especially to the toe area of the wearer’s foot. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Disclosed is a shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes comprising a pad body configured for installation atop a heel area of a shoe insole. The pad body includes a cantilevered beam embedded therein and extending partly over said shoe insole from said heel area, the pad body and cantilevered beam configured to retain load from a user’s foot placed thereon. The cantilevered beam is positioned to provide a counterforce against a downward weight force from the foot, distributing load away from the ball of the foot.

[0011] The cantilevered beam is typically made of a flexible material to provide spring-like support. The cantilevered beam may include a plurality of perforations configured to enhance flexibility and reduce weight while maintaining structural support. The pad body may include an adhesive material on a bottom surface of the pad body for attachment to the shoe insole. The pad body is typically composed of a soft plastic, rubber, or polymer substance. The cantilevered beam may be configured by way of upwardly angled portions relative to the shoe insole, to support an arch of the user’s foot. A cushioning layer may surround the cantilevered beam. The pad body typically extendsPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO from the heel area to provide support to the arch of the foot. The pad body may extend from heel to toe.

[0012] One embodiment of the shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes comprises the pad body as an adhesive pad body configured for installation in the heel area of the shoe. An adhesive material is included on a base of the pad body for attachment to the shoe insole. Adhesive material is included on another base of the pad body for attachment to the user's foot or pantyhose. The adhesive material may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for skin or nylon contact. The pad body is configured to increase the frictional load between the user’s foot and the shoe. The shoe pad may further comprise suction cups on the top surface of the pad body. The shoe pad may be configured wherein pressure from the user’s foot displaces air, creating a vacuum that bonds between the foot and the shoe.

[0013] Another embodiment is the shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes, comprising a lower pad body configured for attachment to the shoe insole in the heel area, the lower pad body having a plurality of protrusions on a top surface of the lower pad body. An upper pad body is configured for attachment to the user's foot or pantyhose in the heel area, the upper pad body having the plurality of protrusions on a bottom surface of the upper pad body configured to interlock with the protrusions of the lower pad body. The protrusions may be rectangular, triangular, rounded, or hexagonal in shape. The interlocking protrusions are configured to prevent forward shifting of the foot by way of mechanical locking.

[0014] The lower pad body may include an adhesive on the base of the lower pad body for attachment to the shoe insole. The upper pad body may include an adhesive on the top surface of the upper pad body for attachment to the user's foot or pantyhose. The upper pad body may be integrated into a pair of pantyhose, sometimes termed nylons or hosiery.

[0015] The disclosed invention relates generally to reducing pain and foot problems for individuals wearing heels, particularly those often termed as high heels, and to do so with shoe pads that can be used with existing, otherwise unmodified, heeled shoes.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO

[0016] An object of this invention is to provide support within high-heeled shoes for a user’s heel to prevent the user’s foot from sliding downward and causing excessive load or pressure on the sides of the toes and balls of the feet. The result is more comfort and the opportunity to wear shoes for a longer period without problems of toe jamming, and excessive foot pressure, particularly on the sides of the big toe and little toe, and the ball of the user’s foot. Such increases comfort, reducing foot problems such as bunions, inflammation, toe distortion, tendon and ligament distortion, formation of callouses at the ball and heel of the foot, and excessive rubbing of the toes.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide maximum comfort for a high and mid height heel shoe.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to prevent the heel of the user’s foot from sliding down the heel.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to preserve foot health and to prevent bunions, big and small toe bending inward towards the middle toes.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to prevent toe jamming, bunions, toe distortion, stretched tendons and ligaments, muscle breakdown, inflammation, and fatigue.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide additional padding and cushion to distribute pressure more evenly between the foot and shoe.

[0022] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings; attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and revisions may be made in the specific construction shown. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The nature and mode of the operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a shoe pad; Figure 1A is a cantilevered support beam; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the shoe pad;PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO Figure 3 is a perspective view of the high heel pain relief shoe pad; Figure 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the shoe pad; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shoe pad installed within a typical high- heeled shoe; Figure 6 is a side view of the high-heeled shoe with the shoe pad; Figure 7 is a top view of the high-heeled shoe with the shoe pad; Figure 8 is a front view of the high heel with the shoe pad; Figure 9 is a front view of an adhesive shoe pad; Figure 10 is a side view of the adhesive shoe pad; Figure 11 is a front view of the high-heeled shoe with the adhesive shoe pad; Figure 12 is a side view of the high-heeled shoe and foot with the adhesive shoe pad; Figure 13 is a side view of the high-heeled shoe and foot with the adhesive shoe pad illustrating a preferred placement of adhesive; Figure 14 is a side view of a nylon / pantyhose with adhesive location on the bottom surface of the pantyhose; Figure 15 is a top view of a lower mechanical locking shoe pad embodiment; Figure 16 is a side view of the lower mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 17 is a top view an upper mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 18 is a side view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 19 is a perspective unconnected view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad with foot; Figure 20 is a side connected view of the lower mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 21 is a top view of a lower mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 21A is an enlarged detail view a section of the lower mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 22 is a side view of the lower mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 23 is a top view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad; Figure 24 is a side view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad;PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO Figure 25 is a perspective view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad body and the lower mechanical locking shoe pad with foot; and, Figure 26 is a side view of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad interlocked with the lower mechanical locking shoe pad body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Following are detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should, however, be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0025] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that drawings are representative to illustrate the inventive concepts herein and may not be to scale. Also, like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements where there could appear some variations in exactness where exactness is not material to the inventive concept herein. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0027] It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “distal” and comparably related terms denoting further-awayPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO portions of an item are antonymous to proximal portions of the co-described item as those portions of items may be termed. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0028] It should be understood that the use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, when referring to a set or group of items, for illustration (A, B, C) the term “at least one or more … and …” such as in “at least one or more of A, B, and C” is intended to include any to all of the denoted set or group of items, i.e. it could include just one item from the set or group, it could include all of the items from the set or group, and it could include any other combination of the set or group of items that is greater than one item and less than all of the items, the illustrated example having three items meaning there are up to seven non- ordered combinations A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, ABC. Other numbers of items would have maximum combination possibilities calculated accordingly.

[0029] Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO

[0030] The term between as used in this disclosure includes the value denoting the endpoints of the set. For illustration, a value between A and B includes A and any value A that is less than B and it includes B and any value that is greater than A, according to the discrete or continuous limitations of what value in the set can constitute a value.

[0031] Further, it should be understood that numbered references are elements of the invention or certain embodiments of the invention. Lettered elements are presented for clarity but are not specifically elements of the invention, for example, a shoe, a user’s foot, and forces from that foot on a shoe. The invention itself is used with a shoe, which is worn on a foot.

[0032] Figure 1 and related Figure 1A illustrate shoe pad 1, which is made from a soft plastic, rubber, or polymer substance that includes, in this representative embodiment, pad body 2 with cantilevered beam 3 at least partly embedded inside pad body 2. Figure 1 further illustrates load areas A and B that would be delivered by the foot of a user.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of shoe pad 1 that includes cantilevered beam 3 embedded into pad body 2. Pad body base 7 contains self-adhesive tape or PSA to affix the pain relief shoe pad 1 to the upper surface of the insole.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of shoe pad 1 and an angled portion of cantilevered beam 3A, designed to approximate the contours of a foot arch. Cantilevered beam 3 may include a plurality of perforations 19 configured to enhance flexibility and reduce weight while maintaining structural support.

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section of cushioning layer 4 and cushioning layer surface 5, which supports the heel of user’s foot from side to side and from forces downward. Cantilevered beam surface 6 supports the arch of a foot.

[0036] Figure 5 illustrates shoe pad 1 installed into shoe S.

[0037] Figure 6 illustrates W load at area A from a foot is being countered by frictional load at area B produced by normal load at area C. W at load area A is also countered by the load at area D from shoe pad 1, which is applied to the foot arch of the user’s foot. Finally, W load at area A is also countered by load at area E and frictionalPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO load at area F. The more effective or higher load at area D is, the less load on the ball of foot load at area E.

[0038] Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate countering loads at area G to W load at area A. Again, the more effective load at area D by shoe pad 1 in countering load W at area A, the less load produced from the strap load at area G.

[0039] Illustrated, therefore, in Figures 1 to 8, is shoe pad 1 for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes S comprising pad body 2 configured for installation atop a heel area of a shoe S insole. Pad body 2 includes a cantilevered beam 3 embedded therein and extending partly over said shoe S insole from said heel area, pad body 2 and cantilevered beam 3 configured to retain load from a user’s foot placed thereon. Cantilevered beam 3 is positioned to provide a counterforce against a downward weight force from the user’s foot, distributing load away from the ball of the user’s foot. Cantilevered beam 3 is typically made of flexible material to provide spring-like support. Cantilevered beam 3 may include the plurality of perforations 19 configured to enhance flexibility and reduce weight while maintaining structural support. Pad body 2 may include an adhesive material on pad body base 7 for attachment to shoe S insole. Pad body 2 is typically composed of a soft plastic, rubber, or polymer substance. Cantilevered beam 3 may be configured by way of upwardly angled portions relative to shoe S insole, to support an arch of the user’s foot. Cushioning layer 4 may surround cantilevered beam 3. Pad body 2 typically extends from the heel area to provide support to the arch of the user’s foot. Pad body 2 may extend from heel to toe of shoe S.

[0040] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate adhesive shoe pad body 16, where adhesive is used for attachments to shoe S insole and foot on associated surface of shoe pad body 16. In this embodiment, shoe pad body 16 is held secured to shoe S by an adhesive (PSA) at bottom surface of adhesive shoe pad 17, and adhesive shoe pad body 16 is held secured to heel or foot by adhesive (PSA) at top surface of adhesive shoe pad body 18. For best results, pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied on the top side in the heel area adjacent to the heel.

[0041] Figure 11 illustrates adhesive shoe pad body 16 installed in high heel shoe S along with load bearing points of the representative shoe S at straps ST1 and ST2.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO

[0042] Figure 12 illustrates W represents the weight transmitted to foot FT by the weight of the person. Figure 12 further illustrates a normal high heel shoe S, with adhesive shoe pad 16 installed. Weight W at area A is countered by normal load at areas E and C and frictional load at area H between the user’s heel and adhesive shoe pad body 16. Straps ST1 and ST2 in this representative shoe S also support and help resist downward movement load W. In other styles of shoes S, the material around perimeter of shoe S, which covers the toes, act as counter loads similar to straps ST1 and ST2.

[0043] Adhesive shoe pad body 16 reduces slippage of the user’s foot FT downward, reducing load on straps ST1 and ST2 to support weight W. Due to adhesive on top surface of adhesive shoe pad body top surface 18, there is an increase frictional load H, illustrated in Figure 12, thereby reducing load to the ball of foot FT and load in straps ST1 and ST2 illustrated in Figure 12.

[0044] This embodiment of shoe pad 1, therefore, includes adhesive shoe pad body 16 for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes S comprises adhesive shoe pad body 16 configured for installation in heel area of shoe S. Adhesive material is included on bottom surface of adhesive pad body 17 for attachment to shoe insole. Adhesive material is included on top surface of adhesive shoe pad body 18 for attachment to a user's foot or pantyhose 23. Adhesive material may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for skin or nylon contact. Adhesive pad body 16 is configured to increase frictional load between the user’s foot FT and shoe S. Adhesive shoe pad 16 may be configured wherein pressure from the user’s foot displaces air, a vacuum creating a bond between foot FT and shoe S. Though this embodiment lacks cantilever 3, adhesives may be included in cantilevered embodiments.

[0045] Disclosed, therefore, is adhesive shoe pad 16 for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes S configured for installation atop a heel area of shoe S insole. Pad body 16 embodiment lacks cantilevered beam 3 of pad body 2. Instead, adhesive properties are configured to retain the load from user’s foot placed thereon.

[0046] Figure 13 illustrates, by way of side views of shoe S, a preferred embodiment of adhesive shoe pad 16 wherein shoe pad 16 includes hinge point 21 where self-adhesive (PSA) or other adhesive is selectively absent from rear bottom surface ofPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO adhesive shoe pad 17A behind hinge point 21 wherein heel of foot FT can raise off shoe S when users walk as would be natural when stepping off a surface when shoe S is worn.

[0047] Figure 14 illustrates a side view of a pantyhose 23 (alternate names nylons and hosiery) with a pantyhose adhesive 24 (or mechanical lock as will be described) attached to pantyhose 23 at heel area that makes contact with the insole of shoe S. This feature accomplishes a similar reduction in loads going to the straps and ball of foot FT.

[0048] Figure 15 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of shoe pad 1, where shoe pad 1 is planarly divided and includes lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 25.

[0049] As best illustrated in Figure 16, mechanical locking shoe pad body base 26 has self-adhesive (PSA) to secure pad to the insole of shoe S. Top surface of mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 27, in this representative embodiment, is a series rectangular in shape for interlocking purposes. Note that top surface of mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 27 can have a plurality of interlocking shapes such as triangular or rounded protrusions 40.

[0050] Figure 17 illustrates a top view of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 28, which would, by adhesive, be attached to the heel of the user’s foot or to pantyhose 23.

[0051] Figure 18 illustrates that base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 30, which has self-adhesive (PSA) to secure pad to the heel of the user’s foot or pantyhose 23. Top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body base 29 has a series rectangular in shape protrusions 40 for interlocking purposes to top surface of mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 27 of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 25 from Figure 15.

[0052] As illustrated in Figure 19 and Figure 20, top surface of mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 27 of lower pad body 25, interlocks to top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body base 29 of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 28 with a similar shape, both having protrusions 40. Upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 28 is secured via adhesive (PSA) disposed on base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 30 to the heel of foot FT or to pantyhose 23. Upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 28 can be integrated into pantyhose 23.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO

[0053] Figure 21 illustrates lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32 having rounded instead of rectangular protrusions 40. Figure 21A illustrates an enlarged section of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32, including rounded interlocking elements of protrusions 40 for top surface of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 33 and top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 36.

[0054] As illustrated in Figure 22, base of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 41 has self-adhesive (PSA) to secure pad to the insole of shoe S. Top surface of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 33 has a series of protrusions 40 for interlocking purposes that can have a plurality of interlocking shapes, such as triangular, hex or rounded protrusions 40.

[0055] Figure 23 illustrates top view of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35.

[0056] As illustrated in Figure 24, base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad locking lower shoe pad body 37 has self-adhesive (PSA) to secure pad to the heel of the user’s foot or to pantyhose 23. Top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 36 of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 includes the plurality of protrusions 40 for interlocking purposes to top surface of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 33 of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32.

[0057] As illustrated in Figure 25, and Figure 26, top surface of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 33 of top of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32, interlocks to top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 36 of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 with a similar shape. Upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 is secured via adhesive (PSA) by base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad locking lower shoe pad body 37 to the heel of the user’s foot or to with pantyhose 23. Note, bottom surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 can be integrated into pantyhose 23 in the heel area.

[0058] One embodiment of shoe pad 1, therefore, includes top of the lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32 for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes S comprising upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 configured for attachment to a shoe insole in a heel area, lower mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 32 having the plurality of protrusions 40 on top of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 33. UpperPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO mechanical locking shoe pad 35 is configured for attachment to a user's foot or to pantyhose 23 in the heel area, upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 having a plurality of protrusions 40 on top of the upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 36 configured to interlock with protrusions 40 of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 32. Protrusions 40 may be rectangular, triangular, rounded, or hexagonal in shape. Interlocking protrusions 40 are configured to prevent forward shifting of the user’s foot by way of mechanical locking.

[0059] Upper mechanical locking shoe pad 35 may include an adhesive on base of lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 41 for attachment to shoe S insole. Upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 35 may include an adhesive on base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 37 for attachment to the user's foot or pantyhose 23. Upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 35 may be integrated into pantyhose 23.

[0060] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0061] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationship to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to encompassed by the present invention.

[0062] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and revisions will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO REFERENCE NUMBERS Shoe pad Pad body Cantilevered beam A Angled portion of cantilevered beam Cushioning layer Cushioning layer surface Cantilevered beam surface Pad body base 6 Adhesive shoe pad 7 Bottom surface of adhesive shoe pad 7A Rear bottom surface of adhesive shoe pad 8 Top surface of adhesive shoe pad 9 Perforations 1 Hinge point 3 Pantyhose 4 Pantyhose adhesive 5 Lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 6 Mechanical locking shoe pad body base 7 Top surface of mechanical locking lower shoe pad body 8 Upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 9 Top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body base 0 Base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad body 2 Lower mechanical locking shoe pad body 3 Top surface of lower mechanical locking shoe pad 5 Upper mechanical locking shoe pad 6 Top surface of upper mechanical locking shoe pad 7 Base of upper mechanical locking shoe pad locking lower shoe pad body0 Protrusions 1 Base of lower mechanical locking shoe padPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO S Shoe ST1 Straps ST2 Straps FT Foot W General weight of a person A Load at area B Load at area C Load at area D Load at area E Load at area F Frictional load at area G Load at area H Frictional load at area

Claims

PCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO CLAIMS 1. A shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes comprising: a pad body configured for installation atop a heel area of a shoe insole; the pad body including a cantilevered beam embedded therein and extending partly over said shoe insole from said heel area, the pad body and cantilevered beam configured to retain load from a user’s foot placed thereon.

2. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the cantilevered beam is configured to provide an upward counterforce against a downward weight force from the user’s foot, distributing load away from the ball of the foot.

3. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the cantilevered beam includes a plurality of perforations.

4. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the cantilevered beam is made of a flexible material.

5. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the pad body includes an adhesive material on a base surface for attachment to the shoe insole.

6. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the pad body is composed of a soft plastic, rubber, or polymer substance.

7. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the cantilevered beam is configured, by way of upwardly angled portions relative to the shoe insole, to support an arch of the user’s foot.

8. The shoe pad of Claim 1, further comprising a cushioning layer surrounding the cantilevered beam.

9. The shoe pad of Claim 1, wherein the pad body extends from heel to toe.

10. A shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes comprising: an adhesive pad body configured for installation in a heel area of a shoe; an adhesive material on a bottom surface of the pad body for attachment to a shoe insole; andPCT Patent Application Docket No. SABP103WO an adhesive material on a top surface of the pad body for attachment to a user's foot or pantyhose.

11. The shoe pad of Claim 10, wherein the adhesive material on the top surface is a pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for skin or nylon contact.

12. The shoe pad of Claim 10, wherein the pad body is configured to increase frictional load between the user’s foot and the shoe.

13. The shoe pad of Claim 10, wherein the pad body further comprises a cushioning layer disposed between the top and bottom surfaces.

14. The shoe pad of Claim 10, further configured wherein pressure from the user’s foot displaces air, a vacuum creating a bond between the foot and the shoe.

15. A shoe pad for reducing foot sliding in high heel shoes comprising: a lower pad body configured for attachment to a shoe insole in a heel area, the lower pad body having a plurality of protrusions on a top surface; and an upper pad body configured for attachment to a user's foot or pantyhose in the heel area, the upper pad body having a plurality of protrusions on a bottom surface configured to interlock with the protrusions of the lower pad body.

16. The shoe pad of Claim 15, wherein the protrusions are rectangular, triangular, rounded, or hexagonal in shape.

17. The shoe pad of Claim 15, wherein the interlocking protrusions are configured to prevent forward shifting of the foot by way of mechanical locking.

18. The shoe pad of Claim 15, wherein the lower pad body includes an adhesive on a base surface for attachment to the shoe insole.

19. The shoe pad of Claim 15, wherein the upper pad body includes an adhesive on a top surface for attachment to the user's foot or pantyhose.

20. The shoe pad of Claim 15, wherein the upper pad body is integrated into pantyhose.

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