Patent Publication Number: US-11388954-B2

Title: Heel pad having a malleable member and method of use

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/934,459, filed Mar. 23, 2018, entitled “HEEL PAD HAVING A MALLEABLE MEMBER AND METHOD OF USE” which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/566,162, filed Oct. 12, 2017, entitled “HEEL PAD HAVING A MALLEABLE MEMBER AND METHOD OF USE”. Application Ser. No. 15/566,162 is a § 371 National Phase application of International Application No. PCT/US2016/026606, filed Apr. 8, 2016, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the U.S. provisional application No. 62/148,942, filed on Apr. 17, 2015. The aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains to the field of heel pads for shoes. More particularly, the invention pertains to a heel pad having a malleable member. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A variety of insert pads are known for use with shoes. Many of the known insert pads are used underneath a wearer&#39;s foot for absorbing shock or odors. 
     Typically, an insert pad is placed along a top surface of a sole of a shoe. This allows for a wearer to comfortably place his/her foot over the insert pad. 
     While known insert pads resolve shock and odor problems, they do not necessarily solve other shoe related problems such as irritation and chafing to a wearer&#39;s foot (particularly the heel of the foot). There are certain types of shoes that tend to cause this irritation and chafing such as dress shoes, athletic shoes, and high heeled shoes. For example, a high-heeled shoe tends to cause irritation to the wearer&#39;s foot due to a heel of the shoe digging in and rubbing against the wearer&#39;s heel. 
     A known solution to these irritation and chafing problems is a heel pad. The heel pad is positioned within a heel section of a shoe. In particular, the heel pad is typically a narrow-shaped pad that is positioned along an inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe. The heel pad provides a comfortable fit between a wearer&#39;s heel and the shoe thus limiting friction between the wearer&#39;s heel and the shoe. This can result in less irritation and chafing on the wearer&#39;s heel (thus eliminating the formation of blisters and calluses). 
     In one example, the heel pad includes a gel substance for comfortably fitting around a wearer&#39;s heel. The gel heel pad typically includes an adhesive strip for anchoring the gel heel pad along the inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe. 
     Another example heel pad includes a urethane material (e.g., Poron® urethane microporous material available from Rogers Corporation of Rogers, Conn.) for providing a comfortable fit around the wearer&#39;s heel. Similar to the gel heel pad, this urethane heel pad includes an adhesive strip for anchoring the urethane heel pad to the inner surface of the heel counter of the shoe. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The known heel pads experience some shortcomings. For example, the known heel pads do not stay firmly in the heel counters of shoes, in particular, the adhesive strip of each known heel pad does not provide adequate adhesion with respect to anchoring the heel pads in the shoes. This is the result of the adhesive strips losing their adhesion properties over time and in some cases shortly after first use. Thus, the known heel pads tend to shift position during use or the heel pads detach completely from the heel counters of shoes. In addition, due to their typically narrow shape, known heel pads do not provide adequate amount of coverage to protect the entire heel of a wearer&#39;s foot. Also, the narrow shape of known heel pads translates into less cushioning material being incorporated within the heel pads. 
     The present invention is directed toward solutions to address these needs, in addition to having other desirable characteristics. Specifically, the present invention heel pad includes a malleable member that allows the heel pad to adequately maintain its position within a heel section of a shoe. In particular, the malleable member functions to anchor the heel pad directly to the shoe such that the heel pad securely maintains its position in the shoe. In one example, the present invention heel pad uses the malleable member to affix itself to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe for fastening the heel pad in place. Furthermore, the present invention heel pad is configured to provide adequate coverage for protecting the entire heel area of a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a heel pad for placement within a shoe. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. 
     The malleable member is typically fastened to the pliable body with stitching. In one example, the malleable member includes a metal material. In another example, the malleable member includes metal material inserted within a fabric covering. 
     The pliable body has a shape configured to fit the back of a wearer&#39;s heel. In one example, the pliable body is constructed from a fabric sheet. 
     The filler element typically includes a material having soft, flexible, and moldable properties. The filler element can include a polyester pile, beads, foam, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, or gel. 
     In one embodiment, a shoe side of the pliable body is mounted to an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe such that the heel pad is integrated with the heel section of the shoe. In another embodiment, a shoe side of the pliable body is releasably attached to an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe using a fastener such that the heel pad is attached and detached from the heel section of the shoe. 
     The invention features an article of footwear that includes a shoe having an insole coupled to a heel section that includes a heel pad positioned in the heel section of the shoe. The heel pad has a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. The malleable member is bent to fold a longitudinal end of the pliable body along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe and affix the end of the pliable body to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe. 
     In one embodiment, the article of footwear includes an extender heel pad. The extender heel pad can include a pliable body having a filler element therein. In one example, the pliable body of the extender heel pad has a generally hemispherical shape. The extender heel pad is positioned along part of a foot side of the heel pad. 
     In one embodiment, the extender heel pad is mounted to part of the foot side of the heel pad and a shoe side of the heel pad is mounted to an inner surface of the heel section of the shoe such that the heel pad and extender heel pad are integrated with the heel section of the shoe. In another embodiment, the extender heel pad is mounted to part of the foot side of the heel pad and a shoe side of the heel pad is mounted to an inner surface of the heel section of the shoe such that the extender heel pad is attached and detached from the heel pad and the heel pad is attached and detached from the inner surface of the heel section of the shoe. 
     The invention also features a method of using a heel pad for a shoe. The method includes providing the heel pad having a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. The heel pad is positioned along an inner surface of a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe. 
     In another embodiment, the heel pad inserted into the shoe has a pliable body having a first end, a second end, a length extending between the first end and the second end, a foldable portion between the first end and the second end and a first flap and a second flap extending from the foldable portion to the second end. A first malleable member is fastened within the first flap of the pliable body with the first malleable member extending a length from the second end to the foldable portion. A second malleable member is fastened within the second flap of the pliable body with the second malleable member extending a length from the second end to the foldable portion. A filler element is also contained within the pliable body at the first end to create a pad portion. 
     In yet another embodiment, the heel pad inserted into the shoe has a pliable body having a first end, a second end, a length extending between the first end and the second end, a foldable portion between the first end and the second end and a first flap and a second flap extending from the foldable portion to the second end. A filler element is contained within the pliable body at the first end to create a pad portion. A first malleable member is fastened within the first flap of the pliable body with the first malleable member extending a length from the second end to the pad portion of the pliable body. A second malleable member is fastened within the second flap of the pliable body with the second malleable member extending a length from the second end to the pad portion of the pliable body. By having the first and second malleable members extend through the foldable portion, the heel pad is alterable to fit various lengths of nonstandard heel counters of shoes. 
     The heel pad can be of various lengths to accommodate different lengths and widths of the heel sections of different shoes, regardless of the actual heel height of the shoe. 
     The first and second malleable members allows the heel pad to be moldable to a heel counter of multiple heights. 
     The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heel pad; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view along a  2 A- 2 A axis of the heel pad of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view along a  2 B- 2 B axis of the heel pad of  FIG. 1  according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sectional views along, respectively, a  3 A- 3 A and  3 B- 3 B axis of the heel pad of  FIG. 1  without and with a filler element according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a malleable member according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the malleable member according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the malleable member according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a fabric covering for the malleable member; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the fabric covering of  FIG. 5A  wrapped around portions of the malleable member of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of the heel pad positioned in a shoe; 
         FIG. 6B  is a partial side perspective view of the heel pad positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a back perspective view of the heel pad positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an extender heel pad; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the extender heel pad of  FIG. 7  along the  8 - 8  axis; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the heel pad and extender heel pad positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the heel pad having a fastener for attaching the heel pad within a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of a wrapped heel pad using a fastener to attach the heel pad within a shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a front perspective view of the unwrapped heel pad of  FIG. 11  having a hook fastener section; 
         FIG. 12B  is a back perspective view of the unwrapped heel pad of  FIG. 11  having a loop fastener section; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a process of using the heel pad according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a heel pad of an alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 15A  is a foot side or back view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment in an open position; 
         FIG. 15B  is a foot side or back view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment in a closed position; 
         FIG. 16A  is a front view or shoe side view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment in an open position; 
         FIG. 16B  is a front view or shoe side view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment in a closed position; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 18A  is a partial perspective view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment having a fastener for attaching the heel pad within a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18B  is a front perspective view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18C  is a back perspective view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18D  is a partial side perspective view of the heel pad of the alternate embodiment positioned in the shoe of  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 19A  is a foot side or back view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in an open position; 
         FIG. 19B  is a foot side or back view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in a closed position; 
         FIG. 20A  is a front view or shoe side view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in an open position; 
         FIG. 20B  is a front view or shoe side view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in a closed position; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 22A  is a partial perspective view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment having a fastener for attaching the heel pad within an alternate shoe having a nonstandard heel counter length according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22B  is a back perspective view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment positioned in an alternate shoe having a nonstandard heel counter length; 
         FIG. 22C  is a back perspective view of the heel pad of another alternate embodiment positioned in an alternate shoe having a nonstandard heel counter length; 
         FIG. 23A  is a cross-sectional view along a  23 A- 23 A axis of the heel pad of  FIG. 15A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23B  is a cross-sectional view along the  23 B- 23 B axis of the heel pad of  FIG. 19A  according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view along line  24 - 24  axis of the heel pad of  FIGS. 15A and 19A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a back view showing the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in a shoe with a heel counter of a nonstandard length; and 
         FIG. 26  is a front view showing the heel pad of another alternate embodiment in a shoe with a heel counter of a nonstandard length. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Further, the singular forms of the articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms: includes, comprises, including and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, it will be understood that when an element, including component or subsystem, is referred to and/or shown as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. 
     In the present invention, the heel pads of embodiments of the present invention are placed on an inner surface of a heel counter of a shoe. The inner surface of the heel counter varies amongst shoes, but is often of a standard length or less, or a greater nonstandard length. The heel pads of the embodiments of the present invention can be used with shoes which have a heel counter of a standard length and a nonstandard length. The standard length of the heel counter is preferably approximately 5 cm or less and a nonstandard length of the heel counter is greater than approximately 5 cm. The length of the heel counter may or may not correspond to heel height of the shoe. It should be noted that the lengths shown for the inner surface of the heel counter even though designated that same reference number may vary based on the perspective of the drawing being shown. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a heel pad  10 . The heel pad  10  is placed within a shoe for protecting a wearer&#39;s ankle or heel from abrasion and discomfort (typically caused by friction between the wearer&#39;s heel and the inside surface of the shoe). 
     The heel pad  10  can be sized to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The heel pad  10  has a length stretching from a first end  18  to a second end  20  that can be increased or decreased to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. Relative to an average heel pad length, the heel pad length is designed to be shorter for the shoe with a standard length or less heel counter whereas the heel pad length is designed to be longer for the shoe with a nonstandard length heel counter. For example, the heel pad  10  has a relatively long and narrow shape for the nonstandard length heel counter whereas the heel pad  10  has a relatively short and wide shape to accommodate a standard length or less than standard length heel counter. In examples, the heel pad  10  has a total length (from the first end  18  to the second end  20  and measured at max length of shape) between about 9 cm and about 12 cm. The heel pad  10  has a total width (from a first side  15  to a second side  17  and measured at max width of shape) between about 3.5 cm and about 5.5 cm that extends in parallel with a  2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B- 2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B axis. The heel pad  10  can be designed with other measurements as appreciated by one of skill in the art in order to accommodate other shoe types. 
     The heel pad  10  includes a foot side  14  for receiving the heel of a wearer&#39;s foot. The heel pad  10  includes a shoe side  16  for placement against an inside surface of a shoe. 
     The heel pad  10  includes a pliable body  12  forming a shape of the heel pad  10 . The pliable body  12  is shaped to fit the back of a wearer&#39;s heel. In particular, the pliable body  12  tapers at the first end  18  to fit the back of the wearer&#39;s heel. The pliable body  12  has a generally ovoid shape, in other examples, the pliable body  12  has a triangular shape, polygonal shape, rectangular shape, square shape, or other shape as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The pliable body  12  can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the pliable body  12  can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The materials can be white in color as illustrated. In one embodiment, materials may be selected such that the color of the pliable body  12  matches and blends in with the color of the shoe. In still another embodiment, materials may be selected to produce a pattern and/or an image on the pliable body  12 . Materials may be selected to produce other colors and/or designs for the pliable body  12  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate two cross-section embodiments of the heel pad  10 . Both cross-sections are viewed along the  2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B- 2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B line of  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in the cross-sections, the pliable body  12  is constructed from two fabric layers  12 A,  12 B. Each fabric layer  12 A/ 12 B is folded on two opposing sides (first side  15  and second side  17 ). As shown, the upper fabric layer  12 A is folded over itself at the first side  15  and folded over itself at the second side  17 . Similarly, the lower fabric layer  12 B is folded over itself at the first side  15  and folded over itself at the second side  17 . The fabric layers  12 A,  12 B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching  23  (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer  12 A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer  12 B forming a seam along the body stitching  23 . The upper fabric layer  12 A is the foot side  14  of the pliable body  12  and the lower fabric layer  12 B is the shoe side  16  of the pliable body  12 . 
     In another example, the pliable body  12  can be constructed from a single fabric sheet. 
     The heel pad  10  includes a filler element  22  contained within the pliable body  12  (i.e., between the upper fabric layer  12 A and the lower fabric layer  12 B). It should be noted that the amount of filler element  22  is not limited to the amount shown in the Figures. The filler element  22  typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the filler element  22  can include a polyester pile, beads, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, foam, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, rigid paper or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The heel pad  10  includes a malleable member  24 . The malleable member  24  is fastened within the pliable body  12  and extends along at least part of the length of the pliable body  12  as well as at least part of the width of the pliable body  12 . In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the malleable member  24  is fastened to the pliable body  12  by using member stitching  25  (e.g. plastic stitching). 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment where the heel pad  10  includes one malleable member  24  extending along the width (between the first side  15  and the second side  17 ) of the pliable body  12 . Member stitching  25  is used to fasten the malleable member  24  proximate to the lower fabric layer  12 B of the pliable body  12 . 
     In  FIG. 2B , the heel pad includes two malleable members  24  that each separately extend along part of the width of the pliable body  12 . Separate member stitching  25  is used to fasten the two malleable members  24  proximate to the lower fabric layer  12 B of the pliable body  12 . 
     The malleable member  24  is constructed of a material having “malleable” properties. “Malleable” properties include the ability to hammer or press the material permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking the material. The “malleable” properties typically relate to metals that can be permanently bent and twisted into a variety of shapes without breaking. Examples of “malleable” metals can include gold, silver, aluminum, copper, tin, lead, zinc, iron, and other related alloys. A material having “malleable” properties is able to be bent into one shape such that the material maintains this shape until a new force is applied to bend the material into a different shape. Thus, for example, the “malleable” material can be bent permanently into a first shape and then bent permanently into a second shape different from the first shape. The term “malleable” and particularly the terms “malleable member” are to be interpreted throughout the specification based on this definition of “malleable” properties. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate cross-sections of the heel pad  10  according to another embodiment. Similar to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the heel pad  10  includes the pliable body  12  constructed from two fabric layers  12 A,  12 B. The heel pad  10  is shown without the filler element  22  ( FIG. 3  A) and with the filler element  22  ( FIG. 3B ). In the  FIG. 3B  example, the filler element  22  is polyester pile. The heel pad  10  also includes the malleable member  24  according to another example. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , this example malleable member  24  includes multiple components forming a specific arrangement. The malleable member  24  is composed of two metal plates  24 A and metal wiring  24 B. The metal plates  24 A are tied to one another by the metal wiring  24 B forming the malleable member  24 . This malleable member  24  (i.e., metal plates  24 A and metal wiring  24 B) is fastened to the pliable body  12  with the member stitching  25 . In other examples, the metal wiring  24 B can be welded, soldered, brazed, riveted (e.g., using needles through wiring and plates), or glued to the two metal plates  24 A. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate other embodiments of the malleable member  24 . 
     In  FIG. 4A , the malleable member  24  is in the form of one metal plate  24 A. In this example, each metal plate  24 A (i.e., each malleable member  24 ) is separately stitched to the pliable body  12  using member stitching  25  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . In another example, the two metal plates  24 A can be held together by metal wiring  24 B that is tied to the two metal plates  24 A as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . The combined two metal plates  24 A with metal wiring  24 B form the malleable member  24 . This malleable member  24  is stitched to the pliable body  12  using member stitching  25 . 
     In  FIG. 4B , the malleable member  24  includes five metal plates  24 A held together by metal wiring  24 B. Four of the five metal plates  24 A are clipped together to form a generally rectangular shape. In particular, each metal plate  24 A is clipped onto an end of a different metal plate  24 A. The four metal plates  24 A are clipped to one another to form the rectangular shape. The four metal plates  24  A can be further welded, soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to one another to form the rectangular shape. One metal plate  24 A is clipped across the center of the rectangular shape such that this metal plate  24 A is perpendicular to the length of the rectangular shape. This central metal plate  24 A can be further welded, soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to the other metal plates  24 A. As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the malleable member  24  includes metal wiring  24 B that crosses the length of the rectangular shape as well as across the width of the rectangular shape. In this example, a first pair of metal wiring  24 B is tied (e.g., with a knot) and fastened on the metal plate  24 A forming a vertical side of the rectangular shape and then tied and fastened to the metal plate  24 A forming an opposite vertical side of the rectangular shape. A second pair and a third pair of metal wiring  24 B are tied and fastened on the metal plate  24 A forming a horizontal side of the rectangular shape and then tied and fastened to the metal plate  24 A forming an opposite horizontal side of the rectangular shape. The metal wiring  24 B provides additional support in holding the metal plates  24 A to one another. 
       FIG. 4C  depicts the same malleable member  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  except the metal wiring  24 B is welded to the metal plates  24 A and other metal wiring  24 B. As appreciated by one of skill in the art, the metal wiring  24 B can be soldered, brazed, riveted, or glued to the other metal wiring  24 B and the metal plates  24 A. 
     The malleable member  24  can include additional metal clips for holding the metal plates  24 A to one another. For example embodiments including multiple metal plates  24 A, the additional metal clips can be attached or clamped to the ends of the metal plates  24  for providing further support in keeping the metal plates  24 A together. 
     The metal plates  24 A described above can include aluminum, copper, or another metal or metal alloy that has “malleable” properties as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The metal wiring  24 B can include aluminum, copper, or another metal or metal alloy that has “malleable” properties as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In general, the metal plates  24 A and metal wiring  24 B can vary in terms of type, size, and thickness as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a fabric covering  44  for the metal plates  24 A (i.e., malleable members  24 ) of  FIG. 4A . The fabric covering  44  includes multiple strands. The fabric covering  44  can include cotton material having a feathery texture. The fabric covering  44  can include other materials for providing properties of a soft fabric surface as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates the metal plates  24 A (i.e., malleable members  24 ) inserted within the fabric covering  44 . In particular, the fabric covering  44  is wrapped around portions of the metal plates  24 A. The fabric covering  44  provides a soft external surface around portions of the metal plates  24 A. This provides additional comfort to a wearer that uses the heel pad  10 . 
     In other examples, the fabric covering  44  can be used to cover the malleable member  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  or the malleable member  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4C . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  illustrate use of the heel pad  10  in shoe  34  with an inner heel counter  126  of a nonstandard heel counter length L 2 . The shoe  34  includes an insole  28  coupled between a heel section  46  and a toe box  38 . The heel section  46  includes a heel  36  attached below the heel counter  126 . The heel pad  10  is positioned along an inner surface of the heel counter  126 . In addition to the high heeled shoe  34 , the heel pad  10  may be used with casual shoes, sneakers, boots, sports shoes, ice skates, cross trainer shoes, cleats, ski boots, sandals, flats, or other shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The malleable member  24  allows the heel pad  10  to be bent or folded in different configurations. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the heel pad  10  is folded over the heel counter  126 . In particular, the first end  18  of the heel pad  10  is positioned along the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126  and the second end  20  (i.e., longitudinal end) of the heel pad  10  is folded along an upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126 . The second end  20  of the heel pad  10  is affixed to an outer surface  126 C of the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34 . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  illustrate different views (front view, side view, and back view) of the heel pad  10  positioned in and folded over the heel counter  126 . In one example, a portion of the heel pad  10  that folds along the upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126  down to the outer heel counter  126 C has a length between about 2.5 cm and about 4.5 cm depending on where the heel pad  10  is folded. 
     The heel pad  10  can be supplemented with an extender heel pad  30 . The additional extender heel pad  30  expands the coverage area and length of the heel pad  10 . This results in an extension of the length of coverage for padding the wearer&#39;s heel. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the extender heel pad  30  and  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along an  8 - 8  axis of the extender heel pad  30 . As shown, the extender heel pad  30  includes an extender pliable body  32  having an extender filler element  33  therein. In this example, the extender pliable body  32  has a generally hemispherical shape. In other examples, the extender pliable body  32  has a triangular shape, polygonal shape, rectangular shape, square shape, or other shape as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     Similar to the heel pad  10 , the extender pliable body  32  is constructed of two fabric layers  32 A,  32 B. Each fabric layer  32 A/ 32 B is folded over itself on two opposing sides. The fabric layers  32 A,  32 B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching  23  (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer  32 A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer  32 B forming a seam along the body stitching  23 . In another example, the extender pliable body  32  may be constructed from a single fabric sheet as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The extender pliable body  32  can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the extender pliable body  32  can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The extender heel pad  30  includes an extender filler element  33  contained within the extender pliable body  32  (i.e., between the upper fabric layer  32 A and the lower fabric layer  32 B). The extender filler element  33  typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the extender filler element  33  can include a polyester pile, beads, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, foam, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     In use, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the extender heel pad  30  is positioned over the heel pad  10 . For example, the heel pad  10  is affixed or hooked onto the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34  which has a heel counter length that is nonstandard length, length L 2 . The extender heel pad  30  is positioned along part of the foot side  14  of the heel pad  10 . Placing the extender heel pad  30  over the heel pad  10  provides additional padding and extends the length of the heel pad  10  for the shoe  34 . 
     In another example, the heel pad  10  is positioned over the extender heel pad  30 . In this example, the extender heel pad  30  is positioned along the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126 . Then, the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  is positioned along part of the extender heel pad  30 . The heel pad  10  is affixed or hooked onto the heel counter  126  (i.e., folded along the upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126 ). 
     The extender heel pad  30  can have various dimensions. In one example, the extender heel pad  30  has a width W (perpendicular to  8 - 8  and measured at max width of hemispherical shape) between about 3.5 cm and about 5.5 cm. In this same example, the extender heel pad  30  has a length (along 8-8 and measured at max length of hemispherical shape) between about 3 cm and about 4 cm. Other length and width measurements may be used for the extender heel pad  30  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The heel pad  10  can include a fastener for attaching the heel pad  10  within a shoe. The fastener provides additional support in maintaining the heel pad  10  within the shoe (i.e., assist in keeping the heel pad  10  in place). For example, the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  is releasably attached to the inner surface  26 A of the heel counter  26  of the shoe  35  using the fastener such that the heel pad  10  is attached and detached from the heel counter  26  of the shoe  35 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the heel pad  10  utilizes a hook and loop type of fastener for attaching the heel pad  10  within a shoe  35  that has a heel counter that has a length L 1  which is less than the nonstandard length heel counter L 2 . The heel pad  10  can also utilize this hook and loop type of fastener with shoe  34 . In particular, the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  includes a hook fastener section  40 A which releasably attaches to or detaches from a loop fastener section  40 B on the inner surface  26 A,  126 A of the heel counter  26 ,  126  of the shoe  34 ,  35 . 
     The heel pad  10  can be adhered into the shoe  34 ,  35  using a different fastener such as an adhesive strip (e.g., peel and stick type of adhesive). In one example, the adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  and the heel pad  10  is attached to the heel counter  26 ,  126  using the adhesive strip. In another example, one adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  and a complementary adhesive strip is placed on the inner surface  26 A,  126 A of the heel counter  26 ,  126 . The heel pad  10  is attached to the heel counter  26 ,  126  using these complementary adhesive strips. 
     The heel pad  10  can use other fastening means such as sewing, tacking, riveting, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or other adhesive mechanisms for providing additional support in attaching the heel pad  10  into the heel counter  26 ,  126  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     In one example, the heel pad  10  is inserted with the shoe  34 ,  35 . In particular, the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  is mounted to the inner surface  26 A,  126 A of the heel counter  26 ,  126  of the shoe  34 ,  35  such that the heel pad  10  is integrated with the heel counter  26 ,  126 . For this integrated example, the pliable body  12  of the heel pad  10  can be constructed from a layer of the same material as the inner surface of the heel counter  26 ,  126 . In another example, the pliable body  12  is constructed of a material that is different from the inner surface of the heel counter  26 ,  126 . 
     In another example, the extender heel pad  30  is mounted to the heel pad  10  using a fastener. For example, the extender heel pad  30  can include a hook fastener section  40 A that is mounted to a loop fastener section  40 B on the foot side  14  of the heel pad  10 . The extender heel pad  30  can use other fastening means such as adhesive, sewing, tacking, or riveting for attaching the extender heel pad  30  to the heel pad  10  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     In a further example, the combination of the extender heel pad  30  and the heel pad  10  are inserted into shoe  34 . In this integrated example, the extender heel pad  30  is mounted to part of the foot side  14  of the heel pad  10  and the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10  is mounted to the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126  such that the heel pad  10  and extender heel pad  30  are integrated with the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34 . The pliable body  12  of the heel pad  10  and the pliable body  32  of the extender heel pad  30  can be constructed from a layer of the same material as the inner surface of the heel counter  126 . In another example, the pliable bodies  12 ,  32  are constructed of a material that is different from the inner surface of the heel counter  126 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example embodiment of the heel pad  10  in use with a slingback shoe  42 . The slingback shoe  42  is a woman&#39;s type of shoe characterized by a heel strap  27  that crosses behind the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot. The heel strap  27  completely encircles the wearer&#39;s heel. The slingback shoe  42  can encompass casual and dressy shoes with a range of heel heights. 
     In use, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the heel pad  10  is wrapped around the heel strap  27  of the slingback shoe  42 . This wrapped form of the heel pad  10  provides comfort to the wearer&#39;s heel by eliminating frictional contact between the wearer&#39;s heel and the heel strap  27 . 
     For this embodiment, the heel pad  10  is attached to the heel strap  27  and the heel pad  10  attaches to itself in order to wrap around the heel strap  27 . The heel pad  10  includes a fastener (either a hook fastener section  40 A or a loop fastener section  40 B) centrally located on the shoe side  16  of the heel pad  10 . This centrally located fastener on the heel pad  10  is affixed to a fastener (either a hook fastener section  40 A or a loop fastener section  40 B) on the outer surface of the heel strap  27 . For example, the centrally-located fastener on the heel pad  10  is a hook fastener section  40 A that can be affixed to a loop fastener section  40 B on the outer surface of the heel strap  27 . This allows for the heel pad  10  to be mounted to the heel strap  27 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12B , the heel pad  10  of  FIG. 11  further includes two fastener sections  40 A,  40 B for attaching to itself. The heel pad  10  includes a hook fastener section  40 A on the shoe side  16  of the pliable body  12  near the first end  18  (as illustrated in  FIG. 12A ). The heel pad  10  includes a loop fastener section  40 B on the foot side  14  of the pliable body  12  near the second end  20  (as illustrated in  FIG. 12B ). While the heel pad  10  is affixed to the heel strap  27 , the hook fastener section  40 A (i.e., first end  18  of the shoe side  16 ) is affixed to the loop fastener section  40 B (i.e., second end  20  of the foot side  14 ) such that the heel pad  10  is wrapped around the heel strap  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-12B , the heel pad  10  provides a distinct ornamental design by itself. Also, the figures illustrate the heel pad  10  as providing a distinct ornamental design when mounted within the shoe  34 ,  35 ,  42  or inserted with the shoe  34 ,  35 ,  42 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a preferred operation or use of the heel pad  10 . In step  100 , a user provides the heel pad  10  as described above. The user positions the heel pad  10  along an inner surface  26 A,  126 B of a heel section  46  (e.g., heel counter  26 ,  126  or heel strap  27 ) of the shoe  34 ,  35 ,  42  (step  102 ). In one example, the heel pad  10  includes a fastener (hook and loop, adhesive strips, etc.) for releasably attaching the heel pad  10  to the inner surface of the heel section  46 . In step  104 , the user folds a longitudinal end (i.e., second end  20 ) of the heel pad  10  along an upper edge of the heel section  46  (e.g., heel counter  26 ,  126  or heel strap  27 ) of the shoe  34 ,  35 ,  42 . The user affixes the folded longitudinal end (i.e., second end  20 ) of the heel pad  10  to an outer surface of the heel section  46  (e.g., heel counter  26 ,  126  or heel strap  27 ) of the shoe  34 ,  35 ,  42  (step  106 ). 
       FIGS. 14-17  show a heel pad of an alternate embodiment. 
     The heel pad  50  includes a pliable body  62  forming a shape of the heel pad  50  with a foot side  64  for receiving the heel of a wearer&#39;s foot and a shoe side  66  for placement against an inside surface of a shoe. The pliable body  62  has a rectangular shape from the first end  68  which tapers to and extends from a foldable portion  63  to two separated flaps, a first flap  80 A and a second flap  80 B at the second end  70 . The foldable portion  63  is present between stitching  23  and the malleable member stitching  81 . The two separated flaps  80 A,  80 B are stitched  75  or secured together at the second end  70  such that when the flaps  80 A,  80 B are placed on and pliably shaped to a rounded heel section of the shoe, a gap  78  is present between the two flaps  80 A,  80 B. The stitch  75  may be replaced with a button, clasp or other means to hold the flaps  80 A,  80 B together. The pliable body  62  body is foldable along a fold  65  within the foldable portion  63  of the pliable body  62  along the length between the two flaps  80 A,  80 B and a pad portion  77  of the pliable body  62 , allowing the heel pad  50  to have an open position as shown in  FIGS. 15A, 16A  and a closed position  FIGS. 14, 15B, 16B, 17 . 
     The heel pad  50  can be sized to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The heel pad can be of various lengths to accommodate different lengths and widths of the heel counter of the heel sections of different shoes, regardless of the actual heel height of the shoe. 
     For example, in one embodiment the heel pad  50  is sized to fit a shoe  35  with heel counter  26  having a standard length L 1 , as shown in  FIGS. 14-18D  and in another embodiment the heel pad  50  is sized to fit an alternate shoe  34  with heel counter  126  having a nonstandard heel counter length L 2 , which is greater than length L 1 , as shown in  FIGS. 19A-26 . 
     The heel pad  50  has a length stretching from a first end  68  to a second end  70  that can be increased or decreased to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. Relative to an average heel pad length, the heel pad length is designed to be shorter for the shoes with a heel counter  26  of a standard heel counter length L 1 , whereas the heel pad length is designed to be longer for the shoe with a nonstandard heel counter  126  having a length L 2 . In examples, the heel pad  50  has a total length (from the first end  68  to the second end  70  and measured at max length of shape) between about 8 cm and about 9 cm. The heel pad  50  has a total width (from a first side  55  to a second side  57  and measured at max width of shape of the heel pad) between about 5 cm and about 6 cm that extends in parallel with a  24 - 24  axis. The heel pad  50  can be designed with other measurements as appreciated by one of skill in the art in order to accommodate other shoe types and their associated heel counter. 
     The pliable body  62  can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the pliable body  62  can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, materials may be selected such that the color of the pliable body  62  matches and blends in with the color of the shoe. In still another embodiment, materials may be selected to produce a pattern and/or an image on the pliable body  62 . Materials may be selected to produce other colors and/or designs for the pliable body  62  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     Present within the two flaps  80 A,  80 B are at least one malleable member  24 . The malleable members  24  extend from the second end  70  towards the pad portion  77  a length. The length is preferably less than the length between the fold  65  and the second end  70  of the pliable body  62 . The malleable members are held in place within the flaps  80 A,  80 B by malleable member stitching  81 . The malleable members are preferably the same malleable members  24  as those shown and discussed relative to  FIGS. 4A-4C  and may be covered by a fabric covering  44  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
       FIG. 23A  illustrates an embodiment where the heel pad  50  includes one malleable member  24  extending from the second end  70  of a flap  80 A a length along the pliable body  62 . The length of the malleable member  24  is less than the length between the second end  70  and the fold  65  of the foldable portion  63 . The flaps  80 A,  80 B are preferably constructed of a fabric layer  62 A which is folded over itself and stitched. Malleable member stitching  81  is used to maintain the malleable member within the flap  80 A. Stitching  25  is used to fasten the malleable member  24  proximate to the pliable body  62 . Other methods of fastening the malleable member  24  may also be used or in conjunction with the stitching  25 . It should be noted that while one flap  80 A is shown, the malleable member  24  would be present in flap  80 B as well. 
     As illustrated in the cross-section of  FIG. 24  the pad portion  77  of the pliable body  62  is constructed from two fabric layers  62 A,  62 B. Each fabric layer  62 A/ 62 B is folded on two opposing sides (first side  55  and second side  57 ). As shown, the upper fabric layer  62 A is folded over itself at the first side  55  and folded over itself at the second side  57 . Similarly, the lower fabric layer  62 B is folded over itself at the first side  55  and folded over itself at the second side  57 . The fabric layers  62 A,  62 B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching  23  (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer  62 A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer  62 B forming a seam along the body stitching  23 . The upper fabric layer  62 A is the foot side  64  of the pliable body  62  and the lower fabric layer  62 B is the shoe side  66  of the pliable body  62 . The two fabric layers may be of a single fabric sheet. 
     The heel pad portion  77  includes a filler element  22  contained within the pliable body  62  (i.e., between the upper fabric layer  62 A and the lower fabric layer  62 B). The filler element  22  typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the filler element  22  can include a polyester pile, beads, foam, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, rigid paper, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D  illustrate use of the heel pad  50  in a shoe  35  in different views. In one example, a portion of the heel pad  50  that folds along the upper edge  26   b  of the heel counter  26  has a length to the end  70  of the flap  80 A,  80 B between approximately 3.5 cm to 4.5 cm. 
     The shoe  35  includes an insole  28  coupled between a heel section  46  and a toe box  38 . The heel section  46  includes a heel  36  attached below the heel counter  26 . The heel counter  26  has a length L 1 . The length L 1  is measured from the insole  28  of the shoe to the upper edge  26   b  of the heel counter  26 . 
     The heel pad  50  is positioned along an inner surface  26   a  of the heel counter  26 . In addition to the shoe  35 , the heel pad  50  may be used with casual shoes, dress shoes, sneakers, boots, sports shoes, ice skates, cross trainer shoes, cleats, ski boots, sandals, flats, or other shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The malleable member  24  within the flaps  80 A,  80 B of the heel pad  50  allow the flaps  80 A,  80 B to be bent or folded or shaped to conform over the rounded heel section  46  of the outer surface  26   c  of the heel counter  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18B-18D , the flaps  80 A,  80 B of the heel pad  50  are folded over the heel counter  26 , such that the fold  65  sits on the upper edge  26   b  of the heel counter  26 . In particular, the first end  68  of the heel pad  50  is positioned along the inner surface  26   a  of the heel counter  26  and the second end  70  (i.e., longitudinal end) of the heel pad  50  is folded along fold  65  and rests along an upper edge  26   b  of the heel counter  26  such that the flaps  80 A,  80 B mold to the outer surface  26   c  of the heel counter  26 . In some embodiments, the flaps  80 A,  80 B separate slightly, based on the constraints of the stitch  75 , so that a gap  78  is present between the flaps  80 A,  80 B. It should be noted that the stitch  75  and the gap  78  present between the flaps  80 A,  80 B allows the flaps to be molded and secure to the rounded heel counter  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18A , the heel pad can include a fastener for attaching the heel pad  50  within a shoe. The fastener provides additional support in maintaining the heel pad  50  within the shoe (i.e., assist in keeping the heel pad  50  in place). For example, the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  50  is releasably attached to the inner surface  26   a  of the heel counter  26  of the shoe  35  using the fastener such that the heel pad  50  is attached and detached from the heel counter  26  of the shoe  35 . 
     The heel pad  50  can utilize a hook and loop type of fastener for attaching the heel pad  50  within a shoe  35 . In particular, the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  50  includes a hook fastener section  40 A which releasably attaches to or detaches from a loop fastener section  40 B on the inner surface  26   a  of the heel counter  26  of the shoe  35 . 
     The heel pad  50  can be adhered into the shoe  35  using a different fastener such as an adhesive strip (e.g., peel and stick type of adhesive). In one example, the adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  50  and the heel pad  50  is attached to the heel counter  26  using the adhesive strip. In another example, one adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  50  and a complementary adhesive strip is placed on the inner surface  26   a  of the heel counter  26 . The heel pad  50  is attached to the heel counter  26  using these complementary adhesive strips. 
     The heel pad  50  can use other fastening means such as sewing, tacking, riveting, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or other adhesive mechanisms for providing additional support in attaching the heel pad  50  into the heel counter  26  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 19A-26  show another alternate heel pad. The heel pad  150  of this embodiment differs from heel pad  50 , as the length between the first end and the second end is increased and is sized to fit in an alternate shoe with a heel section  46  having a heel counter  126  of a nonstandard length L 2 . The length L 2  of the alternate shoe  34  is preferably greater than the length L 1  of shoe  35 . Furthermore, the alternate heel pad  150  differs from heel pad  50 , in that malleable members  24  preferably extend from within the flaps  80 A,  80 B until the pad portion  77 , e.g. the malleable members extend through the foldable portion  63 . By having the malleable members extend through the foldable portion  63 , the heel pad  150  is alterable to fit various lengths L 2  of the nonstandard heel counter  126 . 
     The heel pad  150  has a length stretching from a first end  68  to a second end  70  that can be increased or decreased to fit a variety of different shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In this example, the heel pad  150  has a total length (from the first end  68  to the second end  70  and measured at max length of shape) between about 12 cm and about 13 cm. The heel pad  150  has a total width (from a first side  55  to a second side  57  and measured at max width of shape of the heel pad) between about 3 cm and about 4 cm that extends in parallel with a  24 - 24  axis. The heel pad  150  can be designed with other measurements as appreciated by one of skill in the art in order to accommodate other shoe types. 
     The heel pad  150  includes a foot side  64  for receiving the heel of a wearer&#39;s foot. The heel pad  150  includes a shoe side  66  for placement against an inside surface of a shoe. The heel pad  150  includes a pliable body  62  forming a shape of the heel pad  150 . The pliable body  62  has a rectangular shape from the first end  68  which tapers to and extends from a foldable portion  63  to two separated flaps, a first flap  80 A and a second flap  80 B at the second end  70 . The two separated flaps  80 A,  80 B are stitched  75  or secured together at the second end  70  such that when the flaps  80 A,  80 B are placed on and pliably shaped to a rounded heel section of the shoe, a gap  78  is present between the two flaps  80 A,  80 B. The pliable body  62  body is foldable along a fold  65  within the foldable portion  63  of the pliable body  62  along the length between the two flaps  80 A,  80 B and a pad portion  77  of the pliable body  62 , allowing the heel pad  150  to have an open position as shown in  FIGS. 19A, 20A  and a closed position  FIGS. 19B, 20B, 21 . 
     The pliable body  62  can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the pliable body  62  can be constructed from one or more layers of cotton, soft leather, suede, micro suede, neoprene, polyester, or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, materials may be selected such that the color of the pliable body  62  matches and blends in with the color of the shoe. In still another embodiment, materials may be selected to produce a pattern and/or an image on the pliable body  62 . Materials may be selected to produce other colors and/or designs for the pliable body  62  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     Present within the two flaps  80 A,  80 B are at least one malleable member  24 . The malleable members  24  extend from the second end  70  towards the pad portion  77  a length. The length is preferably less than or equal to the length between the ends  70  of the flaps  80 A,  80 B and the body stitching  23  of the pad portion  77 . In this embodiment, the malleable members  24  are preferably held in place along the pliable body  62  and within the flaps  80 A,  80 B by the member stitching  23 . Other methods may be used to secure the malleable member  24  in place within the pliable body  62 . The malleable members are preferably the same malleable members  24  as those shown and discussed relative to  FIGS. 4A-4C  and may be covered by a fabric covering  44  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     The cross-sections shown in  FIGS. 23B and 24  are applicable to heel pad of this embodiment. In  FIG. 23B , the flap  80 A of the heel pad  150  includes two malleable members  24  that each separately extend along part of the length of the flap  80 A. Separate member stitching  25  is used to fasten the two malleable members  24  proximate to the pliable body  62 . It should be noted that while one flap  80 A is shown, the malleable member  24  would be present in flap  80 B as well. Additional methods of attaching the malleable members  24  can be used. 
     As illustrated in the cross-section of  FIG. 24  the pad portion  77  of the pliable body  62  is constructed from two fabric layers  62 A,  62 B. Each fabric layer  62 A/ 62 B is folded on two opposing sides (first side  55  and second side  57 ). As shown, the upper fabric layer  62 A is folded over itself at the first side  55  and folded over itself at the second side  57 . Similarly, the lower fabric layer  62 B is folded over itself at the first side  55  and folded over itself at the second side  57 . The fabric layers  62 A,  62 B are stitched together at these folded sides using body stitching  23  (e.g., fabric stitching). In particular, the folded sides of the upper fabric layer  62 A are stitched directly to the folded sides of the lower fabric layer  62 B forming a seam along the body stitching  23 . The upper fabric layer  62 A is the foot side  64  of the pliable body  62  and the lower fabric layer  62 B is the shoe side  66  of the pliable body  62 . The two fabric layers may be of a single fabric sheet. 
     The heel pad portion  77  includes a filler element  22  contained within the pliable body  62  (i.e., between the upper fabric layer  62 A and the lower fabric layer  62 B). The filler element  22  typically includes a material that generally has soft, flexible, and moldable properties. For example, the filler element  22  can include a polyester pile, beads, foam, multiple sheets of polyester, microfiber, gel, feathers, silk, linen, rubber, synthetic plastic, rigid paper or other materials as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C, 25 and 26  illustrate use of the heel pad  150  in a shoe  34 . In one example, a portion of the heel pad  150  folds along the upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126  and has a length to the end  70  of the flaps  80 A,  80 B between approximately 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm. 
     The shoe  34  includes an insole  28  coupled between a heel section  46  and a toebox (not shown). An ankle strap  115  is used to secure the shoe  34  to a foot of a user. The heel counter  126  has a nonstandard length L 2 . The heel section  46  includes a heel  36  attached below the heel counter  126 . The heel pad  150  is positioned along an inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126 . In addition to the shoe  34 , the heel pad  150  may be used with casual shoes, dress shoes, sneakers, boots, sports shoes, ice skates, cross trainer shoes, cleats, ski boots, sandals, flats, or other shoes as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     The malleable member  24  within the flaps  80 A,  80 B of the heel pad  150  allows the flaps  80 A,  80 B to be bent or folded or shaped to conform over the rounded heel counter  126 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 22A-22C, 25 and 26 , the flaps  80 A,  80 B of the heel pad  150  are folded over the heel counter  126 , such that the fold  65  of the foldable portion  63  sits on the edge  126 B of the heel counter  126 . In particular, the first end  68  of the heel pad  150  is positioned along the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126  and the second end  70  (i.e., longitudinal end) of the heel pad  150  is folded along fold  65  and rests along an upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126  such that the flaps  80 A,  80 B mold to the outer surface of the heel counter  126 . In some embodiments, the flaps  80 A,  80 B separate slightly, based on the constraints of the stitch  75 , so that a gap  78  is present between the flaps  80 A,  80 B. It should be noted that the stitch  75  and the gap  78  present between the flaps  80 A,  80 B allow the flaps to be molded and secure to the outer surface  126 C of the rounded heel counter  126 . 
     Since the heel pad  150  includes a malleable member  24  that extends to the body stitching  23  of the pad portion  77 , the heel pad  150  can accommodate various nonstandard heel counter lengths L 2  by folding the heel pad  150  at various points along the pliable body  62 . The length L 2  is preferably measured from the insole  28  of the shoe  34  to the upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126 . For example,  FIGS. 22B, 22C, and 26  all have different nonstandard heel counter lengths L 2 , but can use heel pad  150  to provide protection to a wearer. Since the heel pad  150  is bent at different places along the pliable body, the amount of the flaps  80 A,  80 B of the heel pad  150  shown on the outer heel counter  126 C will vary. It should be noted that the style of the shoe the heel pad  150  is inserted into may vary, for example the type of strap  115  used to secure the shoe to the user. It should also be noted that in some of the drawings, the heel counter length is shown on the back of the shoe for illustrative purposes, but is measured from the insole of the shoe to the upper edge of the heel counter and not on the back of the shoe. 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  show front and back views of a shoe with a nonstandard length L 2  heel counter.  FIG. 25  shows a back view of the heel pad  150  inserted into and folded over the upper edge  126 B of heel counter  126  having a length L 2  and  FIG. 26  shows a front view of the heel pad  150  inserted into and folded over the upper edge  126 B of the heel counter  126  having a length L 2 . 
     The heel pad  150  can be supplemented with an extender heel pad  30 . The additional extender heel pad  30  expands the coverage area and length of the heel pad  150 . This results in an extension of the length of coverage for padding the wearer&#39;s heel which is particularly useful with nonstandard length shoes, for example shoe  34 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22A  the heel pad  150  can include a fastener for attaching the heel pad  150  within a shoe  34 . The fastener provides additional support in maintaining the heel pad  150  within the shoe (i.e., assist in keeping the heel pad  150  in place). For example, the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  150  is releasably attached to the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34  using the fastener such that the heel pad  150  is attached and detached from the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34 . 
     The heel pad  150  can utilize a hook and loop type of fastener for attaching the heel pad  150  within the shoe  34 . In particular, the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  150  includes a hook fastener section  40 A which releasably attaches to or detaches from a loop fastener section  40 B on the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126  of the shoe  34 . 
     The heel pad  150  can be adhered into the shoe  34  using a different fastener such as an adhesive strip (e.g., peel and stick type of adhesive). In one example, the adhesive strip is placed on the shoe side  66  of the heel pad  150  and the heel pad  150  is attached to the heel counter  126  using the adhesive strip. In another example, one adhesive strip is placed on the  30  shoe side  66  of the heel pad  150  and a complementary adhesive strip is placed on the inner surface  126 A of the heel counter  126 . The heel pad  150  is attached to the heel counter  126  using these complementary adhesive strips. 
     The heel pad  150  can use other fastening means such as sewing, tacking, riveting, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or other adhesive mechanisms for providing additional support in attaching the heel pad  150  into the heel counter  126  as appreciated by one of skill in the art. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.