Patent Publication Number: US-2006010715-A1

Title: Footwear with resilient heel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to footwear, more particularly to improved footwear having a resilient heel.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      High-heeled shoes or sandals typically include a sole plate made of rubber or plastic, and a solid heel block attached to the bottom of a heel part of the sole plate. While the solid heel block can raise the heel part, because the solid heel block is not resilient and can produce a certain weight, the conventional high heel shoe or sandal is generally uncomfortable. In addition, the shapes and configurations of the conventional high heel shoes or sandals are limited by the construction of the solid heel blocks attached to the heel parts thereof.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide improved footwear with a novel heel which is not only durable but also resilient and comfortable.  
      According to this invention, an article of footwear comprises a sole unit that includes a lower sole portion having at least a lower heel region; and an upper sole portion which includes a front end connected to the lower sole portion, and a remaining part extending rearwardly from the front end above the lower sole portion. The remaining part includes an upper heel region which is spaced apart from and extends above the lower heel region. The upper sole portion is formed integrally as one piece with the lower sole portion and is resilient. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention:  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the third preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the sixth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the specification.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first preferred embodiment of the footwear according the present invention is configured as a high-heeled sandal  100  which includes a sole unit  10  and a strap  20  attached to the sole unit  10 .  
      The sole unit  10  includes a lower sole portion  12  having a lower front region  121  and a lower heel region  122 , and an upper sole portion  11  which is formed integrally as one piece with the lower sole portion  12 . The lower sole portion  12  is planar. The upper sole portion  11  has a front end  111  connected to the lower sole portion  12  at a location between the lower front and heel regions  121  and  122 . The remaining part of the upper sole portion  11  extends rearwardly from the front end  111  above the lower heel region  122  and includes an upper heel region  112  which is spaced apart from and extends above the lower heel region  122 . The upper sole portion  11  thus acts as a cantilever. The strap  20  is connected to the lower front region  121  of the lower sole portion  12 .  
      The upper and lower sole portions  11  and  12  are made of a composite material which includes a fiber component, and a resin component, such as a thermoplastic resin, or a thermosetting resin. The fiber component may include one or more fibers selected from carbon fiber, glass fiber and Kevlar fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the composite material includes 60%-80% by weight of the fiber component and 20%-40% by weight of the resin component.  
      The high-heeled sandallo o further includes ananti-slip layer  13  attached to the top surfaces of the upper sole portion  11  and the lower front region  121  of the lower sole portion  12 . Tread members  14  are attached to the bottom surface of the lower sole portion  12 .  
      Due to the use of the aforesaid composite material, the high-heeled sandal  100  not only has a light weight but also is strong and durable for resistance against breakage. In addition, because of the cantilever-like configuration of the upper sole portion  11 , the sole unit  10  has a measure of resiliency so that the sole unit  10  is able to absorb shock and provides a feel of comfort. Moreover, the sole unit  10  presents a novel outer appearance different from those of the prior art.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention which is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment except that a connecting plate  15  is additionally provided in the second preferred embodiment. The connecting plate  15  has top and bottom ends connected respectively to the rear ends of the upper and lower heel regions  112  and  122 . The connecting plate  15  is bent inward so that it protrudes into a space between the upper and lower heel regions  112  and  122 . Thus, the connecting plate  15  can be flexed when the upper and lower heel regions  112  and  122  are subjected to external pressure. The connecting plate  15  reinforces the upper and lower heel regions  112  and  122  so as to provide improved durability and resistance against breakage.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , a third preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention includes a strap  20  and a sole unit  10 A. The sole unit  10 A includes a lower sole portion  12 A and an upper sole portion  11 . The lower sole portion  12 A is arched upward at an intermediate part  123 A between a lower front region  121 A and a lower heel portion  122 A. The front end of the upper sole portion  11  is connected to the lower sole portion  12 A at the arched intermediate part  123 A. The arched intermediate part  123 A provides an advantage in that, when the wearer who wears the sandal of this embodiment steps on gravels, debris or the like, the arched intermediate part  123 A can prevent the middle part of the wearer&#39;s foot from being pressed or pained by gravels or debris.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a fourth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the lower heel region  122  of the lower sole portion  12  additionally has an upward support plate  124  which extends curvedly and upwardly from the rear end of the lower heel region  122  and thereafter turns inward. An anti-abrasion pad  113  is made of an abrasion-resistant material and is attached to the bottom side of the upper heel region  112  of the upper sole portion  11 . When the upper heel region  112  is moved downward due to the pressure exerted by the wearer&#39;s foot, a top free end of the upward support plate  124  will contact the anti-abrasion pad  113 , thereby preventing the upward support plate  124  from abrading the upper heel region  112 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , a fifth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the upper heel region  112  of the upper sole portion  11  has a downward support plate  114  which extends curvedly and downwardly from the rear end of the upper heel region  112  to a position proximate to the rear end of the lower heel region  122  of the lower sole portion  12 . A stop piece  125  projects from the lower heel region  122  adjacent to a bottom free end of the downward support plate  114 . As such, when the upper heel region  112  is moved downward due to the pressure exerted on the upper heel region  112 , the bottom free end of the downward support plate  114  contacts against the lower heel region  122  so that the upper heel region  112  is supported by the downward support plate  114 . The stop piece  125  serves to prevent the downward support plate  114  from bending excessively and to maintain the downward support plate  114  in a proper position.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a sixth preferred embodiment of the footwear according to the present invention includes upper and lower sole portions  11 B and  12 B. The lower sole portion  12 B is planar and includes a lower front region  121 B and a lower heel region  122 B. The upper sole portion  11  includes an upper front region  111 B and an upper heel region  112 B. The front end of the upper front region  111 B is connected to a front end of the lower front region  121 B. The upper front region  111 B is spaced apart from the lower front region  121 B substantially in parallel to the lower front region  121 B. The upper heel region  112 B is inclined with respect to the lower heel region  122 B. The upper and lower sole portions  11 B and  12 B form a U-shaped turn at the juncture of the front ends of the upper and lower front regions  1113  and  121 B. A connection plate  15  interconnects the rear ends of the upper and lower heel regions  112 B and  122 B.  
      While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.