WO2008048946A2

WO2008048946A2 - High heel system for footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2008048946A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/081491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Davis; Michele Pozzobon; Mauro Pinaffo; Mauro Pezzato; Roberto Gazzara
Original assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-10-16
Filing date: 2007-10-16
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: WO2008048946A3

Abstract

A structure for a high heel for footwear is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or 'ports,' are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, comfort and aesthetics of the shoe.

Description

TITLE

HIGH HEEL SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heel portion for a shoe, and more particularly, the lifting or "high heel" portion where the traditional high heel structure is designed with apertures to provide a unique design.

The traditional high heel shoe is designed with a slim shaped spike or sometimes called "stiletto" or "post" heel lift. This is because the shape of the heel post is usually long and thin to provide a pleasing look. In order to support the compression and bending loads on the heel, the heel structure has used an internal steel post or pin embedded in the heel structure .

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,133 to Houle; U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,115 to Mauze; U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,897 to Ponce; U. S. Pat. No. 5,325,612 to Lock; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,170 to Hirai all describe a heel structure with a vertically positioned internal steel pin. As a result, these designs are solid and limited in geometric design alternatives.

An alternative design for the high heel shoe is to mold it out of synthetic materials such as plastic. Examples are U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,498 to Weber; 4,320,588 to Sottolana; U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,295 to Srourian and Sardarian; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,308 to Srourian. Due to the absence of the steel pin, these heel structures are of greater dimension and less pleasing to the eye.

The high heel system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art by providing a heel structure design with see through ports .

There exists a continuing need for an improved high heel system for footwear. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composite structure for a high heel, and more particularly, where the structure is generally tubular and the traditional heel structure is replaced with multiple continuous tubes, preferably a pair of tubes fused together along their facing surfaces to provide an internal reinforcing wall as well as apertures, or "ports," between the tubes to provide aesthetic advantages.

In particular, the basis of the design is to replace a heel structure portion with a double tube design while maintaining the same or similar geometric exterior shape of the original single heel structure design. This provides a structure with an internal wall between the tubes which has strength and stiffness advantages. In addition, the tubes can be separated at various locations to form apertures or ports between the tubes which act as opposing arches which provide advantages in strength, stiffness, comfort, and aesthetics.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a new and improved high heel system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured.

The present invention provides a new and improved high heel system which is of durable and reliable construction.

The present invention provides a new and improved high heel system which may be manufactured at a low cost with regard to both materials and labor

The present invention further provides a high heel system that can provide specific stiffness zones at various orientations and locations along the length of the heel structure.

The present invention provides an improved high heel system that has superior strength and fatigue resistance.

The present invention provides an improved high heel system that has improved shock absorption characteristics..

The present invention provides an improved high heel system that has a unique look and improved aesthetics.

Lastly, the present invention provides a new and improved high heel system made with a multiple tube design, where the tubes _/ which are fused together along much of their lengths, are preferably separated from one another at selected locations to form apertures that act as double opposing arches, providing improved means of adjusting stiffness, strength, comfort, and aesthetics.

For a better understanding of the invention and its advantages, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an article of footwear constructed in accordance with traditional means.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of an article of footwear, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2A is a cross section of the heel system in Figure 2 taken along lines 2A-2A. Figure 2B is a cross section of the heel system in Figure 2 taken along lines 2B-2B.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of an alternative design for article of footwear, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 4-8 illustrate a variety of design alternatives constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an isometric cutaway view of an alternative design of the invention.

Figure 10 is an isometric cutaway view of an alternative design of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts Through out the various Figures .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described below, the heel system is formed of two or more tubes which are molded together to form a common wall (or walls, in the case of more than two tubes) . However, at selected locations, the facing surfaces of the tubes are kept apart during molding, to form openings. On either side of the openings, the tubes are joined together. The openings so formed are referred to herein as "ports." These ports are formed without drilling any holes or severing any reinforcement fibers.

The resulting structure is found to have superior performance characteristics for several reasons. The ports are in the shape of double opposing arches which allow the structure to deflect which deforms the ports, for more comfort. The ports also allow greater bending flexibility than would traditionally be achieved in a traditional heel structure. The internal wall between the internal tubes adds strength to resist compressive buckling loads. Finally, the ports can improve the appearance of the heel structure.

Figure l illustrates a traditional high heel shoe, which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 6 with a high heel portion 8. In this example, the heel structure portion 8 is solid without holes or apertures.

Figure 2 illustrates a high heel shoe of the present invention, which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Figure 2 shows one preferred embodiment wherein the high heel portion 12 contains openings, or "ports" 20, oriented so they are visible from the side of the shoe. The ports 20 can be located anywhere along the length of the heel post .

With reference to Figure 2A, this cross sectional view along the lines 2A-2A of Figure 2 shows the two tubes 22 which form the structure of the heel post. The tubes 22 are joined together to form an internal wall 24.

The preferred location of the internal wall 24 is near the neutral, axis of the heel post. Bach of the internal tubes 22 should be about the same size and, when molded, form a "D" shape.

Figure 2B shows a cross sectional view along the lines 2B-2B of Figure 2 where the internal tubes 22 are separated from one another to form port 20. It is advisable to have a radius (i.e., rounded edges 26) leading into the port βo to reduce the stress concentration and to facilitate the molding process.

Figure 3 shows an alternative design where the heel portion 12 has ports 20 oriented to be visible from the rear of the shoe.

Figures 4-8 illustrate various port designs for the heel structure. Of particular note is Figure 8 which shows a thin tube 32 to form a large port 30. This configuration produces a ring which can deflect when weight is applied to the heel portion, and provide improved cushioning.

In all orientations, the quantity, size, and spacing of the ports can vary according to the look desired. In addition, ports can be fitted with elastomeric inserts to provide additional cushioning. Another option is to provide reflective material on the interior walls of the ports to create a unique look. Another option is to place a logo inside the ports.

The structure can be further refined by using more than two tubes. For example, using three tubes allows for ports to occur in 120 degree offsets. Using four tubes provides the possibility of having ports at ninety degree angles to each other and alternately located along the length of the heel post to achieve unique aesthetic levels.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a cutaway portion of the heel structure made using four tubes. Port 20 is oriented perpendicular to port 2OA. In this example, to form port 20, internal tubes 42 and 45 have remained together as well as internal tubes 43 and 44. To form port 20a, internal tubes 44 and 45 have remained together as well as internal tubes 42 and 43.

Another option is to locate the multiple ports in the same location to achieve more of an open truss design. Figure 10 is an isometric cutaway view of the four tube structure 52 with ports for all tubes located in the same location. In this example, internal tubes 47, 48, 49, and 50 are all separated in the same location to form four ports 51 there between.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention use multiple continuous composite tubes which are separated to form apertures in the form of double opposing arches at various locations in the bat.

In some cases the tubes may be solid because the dimensions of the heel structure do not allow for a hollow tube.

The process of molding with composite materials facilitates the use of multiple tubes in a structure. The most common method of producing a composite structure is to start with a raw material in sheet form known as "prepreg" which are reinforcing fibers impregnated with a thermoset resin such as epoxy. The resin is in a "B Stage" liquid form which can be readily cured with the application of heat and pressure. The fibers can be woven like a fabric, or unidirectional, and are of the variety of high performance reinforcement fibers such as carbon, aramid, glass, etc. The prepreg material commonly comes in a continuous roll or can be drum wound which produces shorter sheet length segments. The prepreg is cut at various angles to achieve the correct fiber orientation, and these strips are typically overlapped and positioned in a "lay-up" which allows them to be rolled up to form a perform.

The preferred method to pressurize and consolidate the prepreg is using internal pressure. A polymeric thin walled bladder is placed inside the rolled perform, and the mold is closed. AB the mold heats up, air pressure is applied to the bladder which inflates to apply pressure to the prepreg laminates to consolidate and cure the part.

This method is preferred to produce the present invention because the use of multiple tubes and forming ports is facilitated using internal pressure to consolidate the prepreg plies. For example when molding the same heel system using two prepreg tubes, each tube should be approximately half the size of the single tube. A polymer bladder is inserted into the middle of each prepreg tube and is used to generate internal pressure to consolidate the plies upon the application of heat. The mold packing process consists of taking each prepreg tube and internal bladder and position into a mold cavity and an air fitting is attached to the bladder. The process is repeated for each tube depending on how many are used. Care should be taken for the position of each tube so that the internal wall formed between the tubes is oriented properly, and that pins can be inserted between the tubes in order to form the ports during pressurization. The pins are secured into portions of the mold and are easily removed.

The mold is pressed closed in a heated platen press and air pressure for each tube should be applied simultaneously to retain the size and position of each tube and the formed wall in between. Simultaneously, the tubes will form around the pins to form the ports, and fuse together to form the internal walls at locations between the ports. As the temperature rises in the mold, the viscosity of the epoxy resin decreases and the tubes expand, pressing against each other until expansion is complete and the epoxy reβin is cross linked and cured. The mold is then opened, the pins removed, and the part is removed from the mold.

An alternative method to consolidate the prepreg material is to use external pressure. This would be done if the tubes were solid and internal pressure was not available. In this case, the preform would be similar in shape to the final part, except be slightly larger. The mold would compress the preform together to consolidate the prepreg material while heat is added to cure the epoxy resin. Removable pins would be used to form the ports.

A shank may be molded along with the heel structure portion to form a one piece unit.

The internal wall of the molded tubular part adds significantly to improving the structural properties of the tubular part. During bending or local deflections resulting from different directions of force, the shape of the heel structure is maintained much better, eliminating the tendency to buckle the cross section.

The orientation of the wall can be positioned to take advantage of the anisotropy it offers. If more side to side bending stiffness is desired, the wall can be positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel. If greater front to rear stiffness is needed, then the wall can be positioned parallel to the direction of travel.

Molding the tubular parts using multiple tubes allows greater design options. Separating the internal tubes at selected locations along the heel post in greater or lesser amounts changes the characteristics of the heel structure to be varied as desired.

The high heel system of the present invention is not limited to women's high heel shoes. It can be applied to any footwear with a rigid heel structure.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

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, would be evident to one skilled in the art from the foregoing description, and all equivalents to the examples 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

1. A footwear heel system comprising; wherein at least a portion of said heel is formed of at least two tubes having facing surfaces, said tubes being formed of composite material, wherein said facing surfaces are bonded to one another at least along much of their lengths, thereby to form at least one internal reinforcing wall.

2. A heel system as defined in claim 1, wherein said portion is formed of a double tube construction.

3. A heel system as described in claim 1, wherein said facing surfaces are separated from one another at least at one selected axial location to form at least one port extending through said heel system perpendicular to said axis .

4. A heel system as defined in claim 3, wherein said at • least one port is formed in said connecting portion.

5. A heel system as defined in claim 1, wherein said facing surfaces are separated from one another at selected locations to form ports having a double opposing arch structure.

6. A heel system as defined in claim 5, wherein each said port has an axis there through, and wherein at least two of said ports have different axial orientations about said longitudinal axis .

7. A heel system as defined in claim 5, wherein said ports vary in size.

8. A heel system as defined in claim 5, comprising at least three ports adjacent ports, and wherein one of said adjacent ports is axially spaced from adjacent ports by at least two different distances.

9. A heel system as defined in claim 1, wherein one or more tubes are added to a single tube structure in a local area.

10. A heel system as defined in claim 1, wherein the heel system comprises a metal tube for a portion of its length.

11. A heel system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion comprises a single metal tube joined to a multi-tube member.

12. A heel system as defined in claim 11, wherein said multi-tube member includes a port.

13. A heel system component which is metal and produced using a multiple tube construction in which the tubes have facing surfaces which are bonded to one another along at least much of their lengths.