Abstract:
An article of footwear has a relatively elevated heel composed of durable material with fashionable characteristics such as design and style as well as functional features such as arch support and comfort. The article of footwear includes a sole having a front portion and a rear portion, a heel positioned over the rear portion of the sole, an insole positioned upon the heel and the front portion of the sole, a cushion positioned on a rear portion of the insole above the heel, and a strap attached to the insole for removably securing at least the insole to the foot of a wearer. The heel has a height greater than the thickness of the insole. A fastener removably attaches a portion of the strap to the insole, and is a hook-and-loop fastener. The heel could be composed of hardened plastic.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to footwear, and in particular to an article of footwear which provides a elevated heel with comfort.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Footwear is typically divided into formal footwear and leisure footwear. Formal footwear ofttimes provides a elevated heel and aesthetic characteristics, such as sharp edges, pointed edges tooled or punched leather surfaces, and/or patent leather surfaces. Typically, formal footwear sacrifices comfort for fashion, since such footwear is not worn during recreational, leisure, and/or lengthy activities, but rather is worn for brief periods, such as for social events including cocktail parties, or during working hours within an office.  
         [0005]     In contrast, leisure footwear typically provides a low heel for ease of movement and comfort, and includes materials designed to provide cushioning for the foot during commuting between work and home, or for errands which require standing on one&#39;s feet for extended periods of time, such as shopping or gardening, or for recreational and sporting activities, or for attending children&#39;s events such as soccer games. In this manner, leisure footwear sacrifices fashion for comfort.  
         [0006]     A need exists for an article of women&#39;s footwear which combines both comfort and fashion.  
         [0007]     In addition, leisure footwear may be in the form of sneakers or sandals. Sneakers may provide more comfort and higher heels than sandals, for example, to support the arches, but typically a sneaker substantially encloses the foot, and so reduces the ability of the foot to breathe. Sneakers also typically require some form of fastener, such as lacing or “VELCRO®”, to secure the sneaker to the foot, and so sneakers are not as easy to remove from or to secure to the foot as sandals are.  
         [0008]     In contrast, sandals are more open than sneakers, allowing the foot to breathe and to be less restricted during walking. Also, sandals typically use thongs which fit between at least one pair of toes to cause the sandal to be quickly secured but relatively easy to remove from the foot, for example, to allow the wearer to quickly slip them off and jump into a pool without the hassle of untying the lacing or any other type fastener. However, sandals typically provide minimal cushioning, such as foam or a sponge-like insole, and the insole is relatively flat. Accordingly, sandals may be less comfortable and more harmful to the arches of the wearer&#39;s foot than sneakers.  
         [0009]     A need exists for an article of women&#39;s footwear which improves comfort and health considerations, such as foot breathability and arch support.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     What has been invented is an article of women&#39;s footwear which provides cushioning for comfort as well as a relatively elevated heel composed of durable material for providing fashionable characteristics as well as arch support. Such footwear may be worn by women but so comfortable that men may even wear such footwear, and also to enhance one&#39;s height and appearance as well as comfort.  
         [0011]     The article of footwear includes a sole having a front portion and a rear portion, a heel positioned over the rear portion of the sole, an insole positioned on top of the heel and the front portion of the sole, a cushion positioned on a rear portion of the insole above the heel, and a strap attached to the insole for removably securing at least the insole to the foot of a wearer. The heel has a height greater than the thickness of the insole. A fastener removably attaches a portion of the strap to the insole, and is a hook-and-loop fastener. The heel could be composed of hardened plastic. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top right partial perspective view of the disclosed article of footwear;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the footwear;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the footwear along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top left cut-away perspective view of the footwear along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevational view of the heel;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the footwear;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a left side elevational view of the cushioning for the ball of the foot;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a left side cross-sectional view of the sole of the footwear;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the footwear;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a top left perspective view of a strap configuration;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a top left perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the footwear. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , an article  10  of footwear is disclosed which combines and enhances the various comfort, fashion, and health considerations of both formal and leisure footwear, such as breathability, appearance, and arch support, of footwear for multiple uses, such as commuting, everyday leisure and recreational activities, and social events such as parties. The article  10  of footwear may be used by wearers of either gender, although the relatively elevated heel  12  of the footwear, acting as a high heel, is a feature typically used by women.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top right partial perspective view of the disclosed article  10  of footwear having the relatively elevated heel  12 , which may be a high heel, atop the sole  14 , with a cushion  16  above the heel  12  for supporting the ankle and the ball of the foot. In an example embodiment, the heel  12  extends from the rear portion of the article  10  toward the front portion thereof, for example, to partially extend to the intermediate portion of the sole  14  and/or the insole  38  or inner sole, allowing the heel  12  to provide arch support to the middle of the foot of the wearer.  
         [0027]     Unlike known high-heeled shoes and formal footwear which have a sole substantially adjacent to the insole with the heel extending downward from the sole and located only at the rear of the footwear, the present article  10  of footwear has the heel  12  positioned between the intermediate and/or rear portions of the sole  14  and the insole  38 .  
         [0028]     A configuration of straps  18 - 22  allow the article  10  to be relatively open, to enhance breathability of the foot as well as to allow the article  10  to be easy to wear and/or to be readily removed from the foot.  
         [0029]     The heel  12  is composed of a durable material, such as plastic or other materials as described herein, and may optionally include at least one aperture, such as apertures  24 ,  26  passing through the heel  12  from the left side to the right side of the article  10  of footwear. Alternatively or in addition, the durable material may be composed of solid colored material, with translucent material passing from the left side to the right side of the heel  12  to provide the appearance of apertures. The heel  12  may be, for example, at least two inches in height.  
         [0030]     The heel  12  may also be adorned with a logo  28 , in the form of a decal, an engraving, or a shaped aperture and/or a translucent material passing from the left side to the right side of the heel  12 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the footwear on the bottom of the sole  14 , in which at least one groove  30  is provided for flexibility, traction, and other known considerations, such as, for example, an optional predetermined logo or pattern formed by a plurality of grooves  30 . The sole  14  of the heel  12  and/or the article  10  of footwear may be composed, for example, of a skid-free rubber-like material typical of such materials used in sneakers, loafers, and moccasins, as well as boots. In one example embodiment, the sole  12  may be composed of a lightweight plastic which is flexible yet sturdy with such grooves  30  formed or etched therein. However, the sole  12  is a relatively thin layer in the vertical direction, which is wide in the front of the article  10 , but slimmer towards the back, and so the width of the sole  12  substantially matches the width of the base or bottom portion  34  of the heel  12 , as described herein.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the heel  12  of the footwear along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  is a top left cut-away perspective view of the footwear along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a left side elevational view of the heel  12 . In an example embodiment, the heel  12  is, for example, about two inches in height with a wedge-shape having a slender middle portion  32  and a wider bottom portion  34  which provides both support and balance as opposed to the regular spike-heeled women&#39;s shoes. The heel  12  may be constructed using known materials which could be, for illustrative purposes, hard plastic which is durable yet flexible to a degree; leather, alligator, and other natural materials; man-made materials such as synthetics which have the appearance of wood, plastic, rubber, etc.; and rubber-like synthetics of the type used to manufacture sneakers.  
         [0033]     In an alternative embodiment, the heel  12  may be composed of a solid mass of colored and/or painted plastic, with a translucent or transparent front portion and a solid-colored rear portion, so the overall combination of transparent and solid portions present the appearance of a spiked-heel, even though the heel  12  is solid as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 5 .  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the heel  12  may also include other stylistic characteristics, such as a curved rear portion  36 . In the example embodiment of the article  10  of footwear, the wedge shape of the portions  32 - 34  and the curved rear portion  36  of the solid heel  12  present a streamlined appearance.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the footwear with the heel  12  removed for illustrative purposes, with the straps  18 - 22  and the cushion  16  attached to the insole  38 , for example, by sewing, adhesive, or known fasteners. For example, the straps  18 - 22  may be attached to the insole  38  by complementary snap fasteners, buttons, buckles, magnets, and/or by hook-and-loop fasteners, such as commercially available “VELCRO®”. The cushion  16  is described in greater detail in conjunction with  FIG. 7 , and the straps  18 - 22  are described in greater detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 7 and 10 .  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the insole  38  or inner sole of the article  10  of footwear is shock-resistant, and is composed of material which is durable, comfortable, and breathable. The insole  38  is capable of absorbing and/or pulling moisture away from the toes and bottom of the foot of the wearer, of massaging the ball of the foot, of cushioning the foot, and of encompassing the entire foot. The insole  38  of the article  10  of footwear is essentially comfortable so that it may be worn for long periods of time, causing no discomfort to the feet of the wearer.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a left side elevational view of the cushion  16  for the ball of the foot, which is positioned over the heel  12  and substantially adjacent to the rear portion of the insole  38 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The cushion  16  may be formed as extensions of the sides of the insole  38 , with the cushion  16  reaching, for example, about one-half inch depth above the heel  12  to encompass at least a portion of the foot or ankle of the wearer. An optional tag  40  may be placed at the rear of the heel  12 . The tag  40  may also be an extension of the insole  38 , allowing the wearer to grasp the tag  40  to facilitate insertion of the foot into the cushion  16 .  
         [0038]     In an alternative embodiment, the cushion  16  shown in  FIG. 7  may be a formed cup-like pad separate from the insole  38  and positioned onto the rear of the insole  38  over the heel  12 . In a further alternative embodiment, the cushion  16  may form a lip extending about substantially the entire periphery of the insole  38 , and so forming a low moccasin-like cushion  16  having a heel  12 , with the peripheral cushion  16  enveloping the lower portions of the foot to grasp and be retained by the foot as the wearer walks. Accordingly, in this further alternative embodiment, the article  10  of footwear does not completely envelop the foot, unlike known sneakers and slippers, allowing the foot to breathe, while being retained on the foot during walking, and providing the elevated heel  12 . In this further alternative embodiment, the straps  18 - 20  of the article  10  of footwear may be optional and/or removable, since such a peripheral cushion  16  acts to retain the article  10  on the foot.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a left side cross-sectional view of the sole  14  shown in  FIG. 2 , which is positioned below the insole  38 . The article  10  of footwear shown in  FIG. 1  may be fabricated by combining the various components shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , for example, by adhesive and other known footwear manufacturing methods.  
         [0040]     In an example embodiment, the article  10  of footwear includes at least one strap, such as the straps shown in  FIGS. 1, 6 , and  9 - 10 .  FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the footwear, and  FIG. 10  is a top left perspective view of a strap configuration, with straps  18 - 22  attached to the insole  38  and optionally to the cushion  16 . The upper portion of the article  10  of footwear has at least two straps  18 - 20 , each forming a half-moon shaped figure attached to one longitudinal strap  22  therebetween. A side attachment  42  composed of hook-and-loop fasteners, such as commercially available “VELCRO”, is optional to be used to fasten the straps  18 - 22  to the insole  38  and/or to the cushion  16 .  
         [0041]     In another example embodiment, the front strap  20  may be permanently attached to the insole  38 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , while the rear strap  18  includes at least one extension  44  extending rearward with the side attachment  42  of hook-and-loop fasteners positioned on the underside of the extension  44  for engaging a top surface  46  of the cushion  16  which may include complementary hook-and-loop fasteners.  
         [0042]     Accordingly, the strap configuration composed of straps  18 - 22  may be partially removed and bent away from the rear of the article  10  of footwear to allow insertion of the foot onto the insole  38  and into the cushion  16 , and then the rear strap  18  is removably fastened to the cushion  16  or insole  38  by placing the extension  44  with the hook-and-loop fasteners onto the top surface  46  having complementary hook-and-loop fasteners.  
         [0043]     The straps  18 - 22  may be composed of various materials which provide flexibility, comfort, and especially elasticity. Example materials include foamy spandex, suede, leather, patent leather, cotton, etc. The straps  18 - 22  may be of the same color, or colored such that the colors of the straps are the opposite of or in contrast to the color of the heel  12 .  
         [0044]     The upper or rear strap  18  of the article  10  may be attached to the upper back of the heel  12  substantially adjacent to or below the ankle of the wearer. The rear strap  18  has the optional fastener  42  which may be hook-and-loop fasteners, such as commercially available “VELCRO®”, and has a detachable top half-layer forming the extension  44  which may be adjusted to fit the width of the ankles of the wearer. The top half-layer is composed of soft material such as the material used to make the straps  18 - 22 , and so causes no bruises to the feet, to avoid causing bunions, corns, or blisters. In another embodiment, the straps  18 - 22  and the top half-layer forming the extension  44  may be composed of soft colored and/or colorful suede.  
         [0045]     In an alternative embodiment, the straps  18 - 22  are not present, and the cushion  16  provides sufficient frictional engagement with the ball and/or ankle of the foot to retain the article  10  of footwear on the foot of the wearer without using straps  18 - 22 . For example, as described herein in alternative embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the cushion  16  may extend substantially about the entire periphery of the insole  38  to provide a moccasin-like arrangement to retain the article  10  on the foot.  
         [0046]     In a first alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , an article  50  of footwear includes a cushion  52  extending from the rear portion of the article  50  above the heel  54  toward the front portion of the article  50 , and along at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the insole  56 . In conjunction with the peripherally extending cushion  52 , a retaining device  58  may optionally be provided for retaining a front portion of the foot of the user. The retaining device  58  may composed of fabric, leather, or any other known material.  
         [0047]     The retaining device  58  may optionally include a tab  60  or thong which may be positioned between at least one pair of toes of the user, such that the tab  60  retains the front portion of the foot substantially adjacent to the insole  56 . Alternatively or in addition to the tab  60 , straps as described herein and/or other known retaining means may be included in or with the retaining device  58 . Accordingly, the foot is removably retained in the article  50  of footwear during use such as walking.  
         [0048]     In the first alternative embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the cushion  52  may extend toward the front portion to terminate at or under the retaining device  58 , as shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 11 . In a second alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , an article  62  of footwear has a cushion  64  which may extend from above the heel  66  toward the front portion and under the retaining device  68  to terminate in front of the retaining device  68 , for example, near the front end  70  of the article  64  of footwear. The front portions  72 ,  74  of the cushion  64  may taper as the front portions  72 ,  74  extend to terminate near the front end  70 .  
         [0049]     Accordingly, the disclosed article  10  of footwear combines the elevated heel of more formal footwear with the comfort of sneakers and sandals, with enhanced breathability and greater arch support than known footwear.