Abstract:
A fabric device for wear over a user&#39;s heel to protect a cracked or inflamed heel, whether being medically treated or not, to protect the heel from further injury and discomfort. The device inhibits the undesired spread of applied medicaments to clothing such as socks, or shoe interiors, and to bedding during sleep. A version is formed by cutting and folding a T-shaped unit by bending the base of the Tee upward, to the top of the Tee&#39;s extremities into a U-shaped configuration, and folding and joining the two parts of the Tee together. Or using a rectangle, the side midpoints are folded to spaced on top locations, stitched downwardly to yield a second version body portion having an open top and front and a stitched rear. The edges may be bound as with surging, and a closure strap, attached to the body at about a 45-degree angle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to a fabric, cloth, or non-woven fabric heel cover to be worn by persons who have cracked heels as well as by persons who are treating the cracked heel of their foot with Vaseline® or other brands of petroleum jelly or skin balms intended to soften the skin. The device of this invention is worn by this second group of people to inhibit and hopefully prevent staining of sheets and rugs by the treatment medicament.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Some men and many women suffer from dry foot heels. These dry heels both at the vertical surface and the horizontal surface can be tender and sore. Men are subject to this problem as well but since women tend to wear more open heeled shoes the problem is more acute for them, since socks can damper the discomfort and hide the appearance of cracked heels.  
         [0003]     One way to treat dry and cracked heels is to rub them with Vaseline® or other liquid balms, which provide temporary relief and improve the appearance of the cracked heel. This device is worn to cover the heel to prevent the transference of the medicament to other surfaces. The material employed for the device was specifically chosen to be substantially nonabsorbent thereby maximum benefit of the medicament can be received.  
         [0004]     Some people may choose not to medicate their heel for one reason or another in such instance the device of this invention provides comfort in walking about the house, particularly to those who walk barefoot on rugs and floors.  
         [0005]     The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features, properties, the selection of components which are amplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.  
         [0006]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A heel cover to be fastened over the instep of the wearer provides protection to the cracked heels of wearers who tend to walk barefoot around the house, in the yard, and on the beach. When the heel is treated with Vaseline® or other medicament to soften the dry skin that causes cracked heels, this device prevents transference of the medicament to bedding, rugs, and other surfaces. Maximum benefit of the medicament is achievable especially since the cloth preferred is nonabsorptive of the medicament dwelling on the wearer&#39;s heel.  
         [0008]     It is a first object to provide a heel protector to be worn by persons having cracked or inflamed heels.  
         [0009]     It is a second object to provide a heel protector that can be worn over medicaments without fear of “bleed through.” 
         [0010]     It is a third object to provide a heel protector that can be worn with socks.  
         [0011]     It is a fourth object to provide a heel protector that is easy to put on using but a single strap to secure it in place.  
         [0012]     It is a fifth object to provide a heel protector made of two layers of quilted fabric having a batting layer interposed.  
         [0013]     It is a sixth object to provide 2 embodiments of this invention that are substantially similar, the differences being in the assembly thereof.  
         [0014]     These and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the details of the disclosure as set forth herein with particular reference to the appended drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a layout of the fabric member used to construct the device of this invention&#39;s first embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of a closed right closing device of this invention&#39;s first embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top front perspective view of a first version left closing device according to this invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of a first version left closing device of this invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but in an open non-closed position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of a device of this invention&#39;s first version.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 2  in open position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a left front perspective view showing a first embodiment device of this invention in a disposed position on the heel of the wearer.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top front perspective of the same wearer&#39;s instep area.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a graphical depiction of the assembly of the device of  FIG. 2  in open position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic view intended to show how the surging binds the fabric for both embodiments.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a view related to  FIG. 6 , but which view arises when the device is in use.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of another suitable closure means of securing the strap of this invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view that illustrates a variant hook and loop closure for securing the device to the heel of the wearer.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the layout of the fabric member used to construct the second embodiment of the device of this invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic representation of the folding procedure to assemble the fabric member of  FIG. 15  into the second embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a left side elevational view of a right closing second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a right side view of the device of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a view similar to  FIG. 17 , but with strap in open position.  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , but showing the second embodiment being worn by the user.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]     The device of this invention is discussed with reference to two embodiments or versions. The two versions are used in like manner. The differences lie only in the mode of folding and stitching of the fabric member from which the device is created. The benefits and for that matter the detriments of one over the other are trivial but will be discussed infra.  
         [0036]     In  FIG. 1  it is seen that the preferred mode of making the device of this invention is from an inverted T-shaped piece of cloth—the nature of which will be discussed infra. The generally accepted dimensions for a “one size fits all” device  10  is 9×9 with the removed corners being 3″×3″ thus yielding a Tee. The device is formed from a body portion  13  with an attached strap closure  13 . Designator  12  refers to the front edge. The body portion  13  is formed by folding the front edge  12  upwardly into a U. The fabric being self-supporting, when the front edge  12  is folded, this operation brings edges  24  and  16  into a parallel arrangement with a base in between. Edges  26  and  14  are the left top and right top edges after this folding operation. While edges  24  and  16  represent the two rear edges subsequent to folding and reorientation, the edge  20  is the top rear surface, post assembly but pre-surging. Thus edges  22  and  18  are the rear vertical edges which become joined to edges  24  and  16  respectively during a sewing operation.  
         [0037]     The folding operations and the optional surging or other binding operation, to prepare nice neat edges, will be explained during the course of the text presentation to a greater degree. However, the assembly arrows  51  and  52  indicate that these edges fold upwardly and as noted earlier, edge  12  folds upwardly into a U as shown by directional arrows  53  and  54  seen at the outer extremities of the  FIG. 1 . Thus edges  24 - 22  can mate and  18 - 16  can mate. Arrow  55  denotes an open area once edge  12  is folded as notated. Designator  27  is the bottom panel upon which the inserted foot heel rests. See also  FIG. 10 .  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 2  the assembled unit  10  is seen with its strap portion  13  and the body portion  15 . Here the unit is deemed to be right closing, because the strap  46  passes through the D-loop  44  to close on the right side of device  10 . The view here is of the left side of one of device  10 . One device fits one heel, either the right or left heel of the wearer.  
         [0039]     Left panel  17  is seen to have a surging binding on the front edge  30 L, surging on the top edge  32 L and surging  34  on the rear edge. The lower diagonal edge  28 L is merely a fold line of the unitary structure&#39;s material.  
         [0040]     Also seen in  FIG. 2  is the strap portion  15  comprising strap  46 , and the D-loop  44  through which it passes. D-loop  44  is retained by loop retainer  40 , an elongated fabric strip over lay on itself, which is sewn into position along stitching  42 , after passing through the D-loop  44 .  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 3 a  top front perspective view of the device  10  is seen. Here the side panels  17  and  19  are shown in their respective position as are the two respective bottom folds  23  and  25 . The wearer&#39;s foot heel area enters opening  21  while the ankle itself protrudes upwardly through top opening  31  and the toes of the wearer are not disposed within the device  10 . See  FIG. 8 .  
         [0042]     Since the unit shown in  FIG. 3  is a left closing unit, the stitching  42  of loop retainer  40  is seen on the right side of the unit  10 , but to the left of the viewer. D-loop  44  is also seen to be disposed on the right side of the unit, as is strap  46 , which is shown in an engaged position such that the hook and loop fasteners sections are not seen in this view. Note that for ease of illustration no surging is depicted in this view.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of a left closing unit according to this invention. A heel protector is determined to be right or left closing based upon which side of the unit the strap  46 &#39;s hook and loop fastener segments engage each other.  
         [0044]     Here surging segment  32 L of the left top panel, surging segment  34 L of the rear edge of the left panel  17 , and the front surge segment  30 L are seen. More information about the surging procedure to bind the edges of the panels is recited infra with respect to  FIG. 11 . The right-hand panel is similarly surged, and the designators would be the same numerals but with an “R” thereafter instead of an “L.” Note that edge  28 L is only an oblique fold line and that edge  23  is also only a fold line and therefore are not surged. Strap  46  is seen to be extended outwardly in order to reveal both its hook and loop fastener segments, wherein  47  is the hook pad and  49  the loop pad. The plastic or metal D-loop  44  through which the strap  46  passes is not seen in this view as it would be located on the right panel of this unit.  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevational view of a right closing unit according to this invention. In accordance with the nomenclature set forth supra, it is seen that the closure segments disposed upon strap  46  are not seen in this view as they face away from the viewer. The loop retainer  40  is seen best in this view. It is a section of fabric an equal amount of which is folded over the D-loop  44  and under the loop  44  and then retained in position by stitching  42  that passes through both parts of the fabric section to the body panel  17 . Such a sewing operation is deemed conventional.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of a device of this invention. The two oblique fold lines  28 L and  28 R are seen as is the inwardly disposed fold line  36 . Surged edges  34 L and  34 R as well as surged top rear edge  38  are also seen. The dashed lines  39 L and  39 R are the stitching inset from the opposite edges of the rear panel  27 , for attachment of the rear panel  27 , to the respective side panels  17  and  19 . See also designator  39 R in  FIG. 7 . Such stitching is the primary attachment mode with the surging or other binding of the edges being the secondary attachment mode of the rear and side panels to each other. Note how the surging curves inwardly at about designator points  56 , 57  to permit the inwardly disposed fold  36  to open outwardly and top rear edge  38  to open flat upon insertion of a wearer&#39;s heel. See  FIG. 12 , which is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but with a wearer&#39;s heel inserted into the device. This  FIG. 12  will now be discussed out of order for ease of understanding. Note the distinction the two views,  FIG. 6  is without the foot inserted and  FIG. 12 , the weight of the foot is in place causing the folds to unfold, ie. open up. In  FIG. 12  the formerly oblique folded edges  28 L and  28 R, flatten out when the foot, not seen and the ankle of the wearer  59  are in position in the device  10 . The bottom fold  23  becomes completely obliterated and lies flat along the rug or floor when the unit is disposed on a wearer. In essence a pleat formed by the folded oblique edges  28 L and  28 R and center fold  36  unfolds to yield the vertical upstanding back panel and part of the bottom panel. The weight of the foot causes the fold line  23  to expand and unfold which results in a visible shortening of the two side panels and the simultaneous formation of the base beneath the heel of the wearer. A comparison of the two figures at the locations noted is suggested.  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a view of the right side of a right closing device according to this invention. This is the opposite side of the device shown in  FIG. 5 . Note that the corresponding surged edges to those surged edges previously discussed bear an “R” designation instead of an “L.” Here the strap  46  with its hook and loop pads— 47  hook and  49  loop—are seen. These may be attached to the strap  46  fabric by either of two conventional attachment means, (1) stitching, or (2) by adhering a self-adhesive section of the fastener to the strap fabric. Note also the connection stitching line  39 R which serves the purpose previously discussed.  
         [0048]     In  FIG. 8 , the device  10  is seen to be disposed on a heel  60  of a wearer. Ankle  59  sticks out the top opening  31  while foot  61  sticks out of front opening  21 . The overlay and engagement of strap  46  unto itself post passage through retainer D-loop  44  is readily seen.  
         [0049]     Strap  46  can be made stronger by folding over a segment of fabric to double thickness and stitching it together prior to the attachment of the fastener elements thereto, as is seen by the presence of stitching line  46 S in the view of  FIG. 9 , on a wearer&#39;s ankle. Passage of the strap  46  through the D-loop  44  is also seen in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  depicts the assembly of device  10  at a frozen moment in time. Thus panels  15  and  17  are in the process of being folded upwardly into position to be stitched along what will be stitch lines  39 L and  39 R. All of the surge strips are seen located relative to the positions to where they are to be attached, as shown by the plurality of unnumbered arrows. The unit shown in this figure can be configured for either right or left closing as may be desired, since the strap and retainer loop have been omitted from the view intentionally for ease of understanding and illustration.  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 11 , a closeup of the preferred fabric employed for this device and of the surging material is seen. Surging  43 , a conventional product available in any fabric store, is sewn over the exposed edge of the non-woven polyester batting  45 -I, disposed between two layers of washable quilting,  45 -O. Such a material is readily available in the marketplace.  
         [0052]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of a stitched only non-surged device that employs a simplified hook and loop closure. Here the retainer D-loop aforesaid is replaced by a sewn loop enclosure segment,  499  while the strap  46  includes only a sewn hook enclosure segment  479  for mating engagement with loop segment  499 .  
         [0053]     In all of the discussions above, it has been indicated that a back or rear panel  27  is present. Yet the views depicted in most of the figures show only left and right side panels joined together. See  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 7 . In point of fact the rear panel is a pleat, which is internally folded such as not to be visible from the sides of the device. See  FIG. 6 . The rear fold  36  which separates the left part from the right part of the rear panel  27 . This fold extends downwardly from the upper edge of the device, which if surged is edge  38 , the full length of the elevation of the device, down to the point  33  on the bottom rear edge of each side panel. While  33 R and  33 L are depicted for ease of understanding of the respective side panels, they are in fact the same singular point  33 . Two parallel oblique folds  28 L and  28 R extend from the termination point of the rear fold at point  33  (See  FIG. 4 ) diverging upwardly but which are outward folds in contrast to fold  36 , an inward fold, to points  35 L (also  FIG. 4 ) and  35 R (see  FIG. 7 ), taken in combination with fold  36  form an internal rear pleat which extends to flatten out and become the base and to become an extended rear panel, when the weight of the foot is placed on the pleat per  FIG. 8 . Refer again to  FIG. 12  which shows the pleat in open position.  
         [0054]     The discussion now moves to the preferred second embodiment of this invention. For ease and convenience of the reader, like numbers shall refer to like parts where applicable but the numbering shall be in the 100 series. Thus the reference numeral for the invention per se is  10  for the first embodiment. The invention is now referred to as  100  for the second embodiment.  
         [0055]     It is also to be understood by the reader that the discussion concerning FIGS.  11  dealing with the surging technique and  13  dealing with alternative closure means are equally applicable to the second embodiment and need not therefore be repeated. Such is also true of the discussion showing a unit of this invention on a woman&#39;s foot.  
         [0056]     As can be seen from  FIG. 15 , the second version of this invention is made from a full rectangle of fabric, about 8″ down and 9″ across, unlike the inverted Tee shaped member of  FIG. 1  for the first version. In accordance with the nomenclature information supra, the front edge is  112 , the right top edge of the device is denoted as  114 , the left top is  126 , while the left rear “A” is  122 ; the left rear “B” is  124  and the right rear “A” is  116  and the right rear “A” is  118 . These “A &amp; “B” designations are recited because upon folding an “A” edge and a “B” edge come together. Designators  123 , 125  and  127  are the bottom edge left, the bottom edge right and the rear panel respectively. Note the relationship to  FIG. 1 . The lines shown as dashed lines, both short and long are fold lines that arise during assembly. Designators  163 , 165 ,  167  and  169  are location points for the folding of the fabric member. Edges  170  and  172  are non-existent in the first embodiment and represent upper left and upper right fabric member vertical edges. Reference is now made to  FIG. 16  in conjunction with  FIG. 15 .  
         [0057]     To assemble the device of the second embodiment, one first finds point  163  along the left edge at about the midpoint of the fabric member. This is folded upwardly to point  165  which is spaced in about four inches, while fold line  129  is folded inwardly such that points  163  and  165  abut, such that top left edge  170  abuts top edge  174 . Large dashed line  124  rotates from a horizontal location to become the folded rear left edge, adjacent wavy line  122 . Left bottom edge  178  essentially rotates to become the left side edge of the assembled unit.  
         [0058]     In  FIG. 16 , it is seen from the top that the panel edges prior to assembly but post folding are  126 ,  170  and  174  with  120  the middle of the top panel being in-between and forming the rear top edge post assembly.  
         [0059]     The right side of the device is assembled in like fashion. Point  169  is moved to point  167 , with line  133  folding inwardly and large dashed line  116  rotates from a horizontal location to become the folded rear left edge, adjacent wavy line  118 . Right bottom edge  180  essentially rotates to become the right side edge of the assembled unit.  
         [0060]     Since point  167  is also spaced in about four inches, the segment  120  between points  165 , 167  and wavy lines  122  and  118 , becomes the rear wall of the device. The side rear edges  118  and  122  are not ironed or pressed into hard edges but are permitted to remain rounded. See also  FIG. 16 , on the right where the edges are seen to be  116 ,  172  and  176  in that order. Stitching is applied along wavy lines  126  and  118 , and optionally along edges  174  and  176  to create the desired shape of the second embodiment. A surging step follows in the manner discussed previously along all exposed outer edges at the top and the vertical left and right edges, to yield the device shown in  FIG. 17 . See the discussion re  FIG. 11 , supra.  
         [0061]     For ease of understanding hidden fold line  129  has been shown in this view. Note the location of wavy edge  122  upon assembly, but after the unit is pressed flat. The ACTUAL EDGE shown in  FIG. 17  is the point shown in  FIG. 16 , which lies in the middle of rear surface  120 . Note two lead lines in  FIG. 16  to indicate the expanse of  120 . Strap  146  is retained in position on the body of the device by stitching  142  also seen in this view. Suitable straps, [as well as strap  46 ] range from ¾ to one inch wide by about six inches in length from point of attachment, by stitching  42  or  142  for the respective embodiment.  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 18  the opposite side of this second embodiment device is seen. Wavy line  118  is the counterpart to wavy line  122  for the opposite side. Rear  120  of the device falls between these two stitching lines. And, dashed line  133  is the counterpart of dashed line  129  previously discussed. Both of these are ironed flat for a more comfortable fit and feel of the device. Optionally stitching may be applied to retain these against the interior surface of the device, but such is not necessary, and to do so adds labor and the possibility of a rough thread for a tender foot.  
         [0063]     Whereas  FIGS. 17 and 18  depicted a right closing second embodiment, in  FIG. 19   3   a  left closing unit is seen. But all other aspects of the second embodiment device remain the same.  
         [0064]     Whereas in the first embodiment discussed, the strap went through a D-loop and closed back on itself, there is shown here a second simpler closure. Here the strap  146  has a loop pad  149  of a hoop and hook closure and the hook pad  147  is shown mounted on the opposite outside surface of the device. The use of a direct closing hook and loop closure without the separate feed through loop to achieve opposite side closing, may be utilized with both the second and the first embodiments interchangeably. Direct closing may take place on either the right or left side surface of the device. Note further that indirect closing utilizing the loop structure discussed with respect to the first embodiment, may be employed for the second embodiment as well; again with the closing being on either side panel of the device.  
         [0065]     Thus reference is made to  FIG. 20 , a view similar to  FIG. 8 . Here a second embodiment device is seen on the foot of a female, but the second embodiment has an indirect closure with the strap passing through loop  144 . The second embodiment is worn the same way with the foot going into opening  121  and the strap extending across the instep. Also note how the stitching line along  122  defines the left rear edge of the device, and stitching line  118  defining the right rear edge.  
         [0066]     The dimensions of 8″ by 9″ may be varied slightly for females small in foot size, say size 5 and under, and increased slightly for women whose feet are greater than average.  
         [0067]     While the device is directed primarily to females, it can also be used by men who may suffer from cracked heels and related skin problems as well.  
         [0068]     As mentioned earlier the devices of this invention may be either left closing or right closing, the actual designation being the side of the device upon which the closure engagement transpires. In the manufacture of the devices, one might choose to have a right closing unit for the right foot and a left closing foot for the left foot; or both feet may utilize units that close on the respective same side of the foot either right or left.  
         [0069]     The devices of this invention may be made in any color, though dark is preferred over light colored fabric such that soiling is not readily visible from repeated wearing.  
         [0070]     The big advantage of the preferred fabric which is a double layer of quilting with a polyester batt interposed is that devices made from the preferred material are substantially not susceptible to bleed-through of medicaments. That is, balms and petroleum jelly are substantially not absorbed by the fabric as so they do not pass through the non-woven batting interposed between the quilted layers. Thus the medicament can be substantially totally absorbed by the cracked heel of the wearer to provide relief from the condition suffered by the wearer. These devices can be worn individually or in pairs as may be required. They also permit the wearer to be medically treated while sleeping without the fear of staining expensive linens. Of course, they may be worn without the heel being medicated, merely to prevent irritation to dry, chapped or irritated heels on both the vertical and horizontal surfaces thereof. Of course other materials that do not permit medicaments to pass through to socks, bedding and shoe linings, may be utilized for the devices of this invention. Such fabrics are available in the marketplace.  
         [0071]     It is seen that I have provided a new device that can be worn with or without medication on the cracked heels of the wearer. The device is easy to slip into and is secured by passing a strap through a retainer loop and overlaying the strap back over itself. While Velcro brand or an equivalent hook and loop fastener is the preferred closure, one or more of mating two-part snaps such as  50 A that mattingly engages  50 B as shown in  FIG. 13  may also be employed  
         [0072]     While surging the edges of the fabric has been discussed, it is not a required step. Other bindings, as well as no binding may be used along the edges of the batt lined quilting material employed herein to inhibit the spread of medicament and provide comfort to the wearer. It has been fond that the maximum comfort during wear is achieved if the strap is attached at about a 45-degree angle, rather than truly horizontally across the instep.  
         [0073]     Since certain changes may be made in the described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.