US20160015130A1

US20160015130A1 - Interchangeable Wedged Heel Covering Device

Info

Publication number: US20160015130A1
Application number: US14/724,897
Authority: US
Inventors: Janna Knox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-18
Filing date: 2015-05-29
Publication date: 2016-01-21

Abstract

The interchangeable wedged heel covering device for modifying the appearance of footwear, thereby enabling a user to wear a single pair of shoes in a variety of styles. The interchangeable wedged heel covering device includes a heel cover that removably secures to the surface of a wedged heel. The heel cover is composed of a rigid material so as to form to the corresponding shape of the heel. The heel cover includes a lip disposed along the upper edge in order to stabilize and prevent movement of the device while in use. In an alternative embodiment, the device is composed of flexible material having an adhesive disposed on the interior thereof so as to removably secure the heel cover to the heel. The lower end of the device further includes one or more removable sections so as to adjust the length of the heel cover to fit various sized heels.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/026,206 filed on Jul. 18, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interchangeable wedged heel covering device. More specifically, the present invention provides an interchangeable wedged heel covering device comprising a heel cover adapted to removably secure to a wedged heel of a shoe. The heel cover comprises a lip extending along the upper edge thereof and adapted to fit within a groove positioned between the heel and the shoe portion of the shoe. The heel cover is composed of a rigid material in order to form to the corresponding shape of the heel and snap thereon. In an alternative embodiment, the heel cover is composed of a flexible material having an adhesive disposed on the interior surface thereof. The interchangeable wedged heel covering device further comprises one or more sections removably attached to the lower end thereof, such that the length of the heel cover can be adjusted.
Many women own multiple pairs of shoes in order to suit different outfits in a wardrobe. In addition to pairing footwear with similarly styled clothing, women enjoy coordinating their shoes with various accessories, such as purses, scarves, and the like. However, a woman is required to have an extensive amount of closet space in order to store a variety of shoes that are capable of matching a multitude of different outfits and accessories. It is difficult finding closet space specifically for shoes comprising a wedged heel because they are bulkier than many other shoes, such as pointed heeled shoes. However, wedge heeled shoes are far more comfortable than many pointed heeled shoes due to the additional foot support provided by the wedged heel.
Not only is finding adequate closet space difficult, but packing this type of footwear is extremely frustrating due to the limited space provided in most luggage compartments. Having the ability to change the look of a single pair of shoes is useful for people while traveling, which would allow individuals to carry less luggage if one pair of shoes can be used for multiple outfits. Furthermore, it is expensive to continuously purchase new pairs of shoes in order to match a specific color or pattern of an outfit or accessory. Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art for an interchangeable shoe cover adapted to removably secure to the heel of a wedged shoe.
It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing interchangeable wedged heel covering devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of interchangeable wedged heel covering devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when modifying and wearing a pair of wedge heeled shoes.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interchangeable wedged heel covering device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device comprising a heel cover having a shape corresponding to the shape of a wedged heel of a shoe, wherein the heel cover is adapted to removably secure thereto in order to allow a user to modify the aesthetic appearance of the shoe.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein the heel cover comprises a lip disposed along the upper edge thereof and adapted to fit within a groove positioned between the heel and shoe portion of a shoe.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein the heel cover is composed of a rigid material so as to allow the heel cover to snap in place and allow the contour of the heel cover to match the contour of the heel of the shoe in order for the heel cover and lip to removably secure thereon.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device further comprising, in an alternate embodiment, one or more removable sections attached to the lower edge of the heel cover so as to adjust the length thereof in order to fit various sized heels.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein, in an alternate embodiment, the heel cover is composed of flexible material and comprises an adhesive disposed on the interior surface thereof so as to allow the heel cover to wrap around and removably secure to the wedged heel of a shoe.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable wedged heel covering device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device and a shoe comprising a wedged heel.

FIG. 2 shows a top down view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein the heel cover is wrapped around the heel of a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for modifying the appearance of a shoe having a wedged heel. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device and a shoe comprising a wedged heel. The interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 comprises a heel cover 12 adapted to be freely added to or removed from a heel 16 of a wedged shoe 30 in order to create a new shoe style with a customized design or pattern. The shape of the heel cover 12 corresponds to the shape of the heel 16 of a wedged shoe 30. The heel cover 12 comprises an interior surface 13 and an exterior surface 14, wherein the interior surface 13 is adapted to rest flush against the heel 16 of the shoe 30. The exterior surface 14 is adapted to comprise a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs and colors. The heel cover 12 is a unitary body and comprises a first section 23 opposing a second section 24. The sections 23, 24 are mirror images of one another and each section 23, 24 is substantially triangular in shape, wherein a first side of each section 23, 24 is connected by a center piece 25. The center piece 25 is elongated and perpendicularly disposed between the first and second section 23, 24, wherein the center piece 25 is adapted to rest flush against the back side of the heel 16.
The sections 23, 24 and center piece 25 are disposed in a U-shaped configuration so as to create a space 28 therebetween. The heel 16 of the shoe 30 is adapted to be positioned within the space 28. The heel cover 12 is composed of a rigid material, such as hard plastic, so as to allow the contour of the heel cover 12 to match the contour of the heel 16. The space 28 between the first section 23 and the second section 24 is adapted to be narrower than the width of the heel 16. In this way, the rigidity and narrowness of the heel cover 12 allows it to be snapped on to the heel 16 and remain in position. The heel cover 12 is a continuous piece of material, wherein the first section 23, second section 24, and center piece 25 are integral to one another.
The upper end 26 of the heel cover 12 is adapted to engage a groove 29 positioned between the heel 16 and shoe portion 15 of the footwear. The curves along the upper end 26 are adapted to correspond to the curvature of the groove 29. The lower end of the heel cover 12 is linear and adapted to align with bottom edge of the heel 16. In some embodiments, the upper 26 of the heel cover 12 is linear in order to match a linear groove 29 of a heel 16.
The interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 further comprises a lip 18 disposed along the upper edge of the heel cover 12. The lip 18 extends inward and is adapted to fit within the groove 29 between the heel 16 and the shoe portion 15. In addition to the rigidity of the material of the heel cover 12, the lip 18 and groove 29 engagement is adapted to prevent movement of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 while in use, such as when a user is walking. In other embodiments, the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 comprises one or more fasteners disposed on the interior of the heel cover 12, thereby providing further securement of the device to the heel 16 of the shoe 30. Any suitable fastener can be used, such as adhesive or hook and loop material.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a top down view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device and a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device wherein the heel cover is wrapped around the heel of a shoe, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 comprises one or more removable sections 27 horizontally disposed along the lower edge of the heel cover 12. The removable sections 27 allow the length of the heel cover 12 to be adjusted in order to fit various sized heels. The removable sections 27 comprise perforations or sewed lines of connection 19 that are separable by any suitable means, such as readily removable stitching or manual separation. In some embodiments, the lines of connection 19 are provided as fold lines rather than separation lines, thereby providing a guide for a user to fold extraneous outer portions of the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 onto the interior surface 13 of the heel cover 12. In other embodiments, the removable sections 27 are disposed along any of the sides of the heel cover 12 in order to allow the dimension of the heel cover to be adjusted so as to fit wedged heels of differing proportions. The lines of connection 19 can be linear, curved or other suitable contour in order to match the corresponding side of the heel in which the heel cover 12 is adapted to align.
In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the heel cover 12 is composed of any suitable flexible material, such as plastic or cloth. Overall, the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 is triangular in shape, wherein the heel cover 12 tapers towards the lower ends thereof. The flexibility of the heel cover 12 permits the perforations to be easily separated and the device 11 to be wrapped around the heel of a wedged shoe, wherein the device 11 is adapted to fully cover the wedged heel of a shoe. The interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 further comprises one or more fasteners adapted to removably secure the interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 to the heel. In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the heel cover 12 is removably secured to the heel of the shoe by an adhesive 21 disposed on the interior surface 13 thereof. In other embodiments, any suitable fastener can be used, such as hook and loop material. The interchangeable wedged heel covering device 11 can be removed from the wedged heel by separating the heel cover 12 from the heel of the shoe. The material of the heel cover 12 is flexible, but the heel cover 12 and the fastener disposed on the interior 13 of the heel cover 12 are adapted to be reused.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) An interchangeable wedged heel covering device, comprising:

a heel cover comprising an upper end, wherein said heel cover is shaped corresponding to a shape of a wedged heel of a shoe;

wherein said heel cover is composed of a rigid material.

2) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 1, wherein said heel cover comprises a U-shaped configuration.

3) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 1, further comprising a lip disposed on said upper end of said heel cover, wherein said lip extends inward and is adapted to be positioned within a groove between said wedged heel and a shoe portion.

4) An interchangeable wedged heel covering device, comprising:

a heel cover comprising an interior surface, wherein said heel cover is shaped corresponding to a shape of a wedged heel of a shoe;

one or more fasteners secured to said heel cover so as to removably secure said heel cover to said wedged heel of said shoe.

5) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 4, wherein said one or more fasteners is an adhesive disposed on said interior surface of said heel cover.

6) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 4, wherein said heel cover is composed of cloth.

7) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 4, wherein said heel cover is composed of a flexible material.

8) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 4, wherein said heel cover is triangular in shape.

9) The interchangeable wedged heel covering device of claim 4, wherein a lower edge of said heel cover includes one or more removable sections that are connected along perforable lines of connections.