Footwear sole with a removable heel insert
View Patent ↗The invention relates to an article of footwear having a hollow heel cavity that is adapted to receive a heel insert. A user can interchange heel inserts of varying thicknesses based on their activity, and is not required to change their footwear when undertaking a new activity. For example, hiking on a dirt trail may require a heel insert with less cushioning and more support, while running on pavement may require a heel insert with more cushioning and less support. The user can simply carry with him multiple heel inserts and replace the heel insert as needed to achieve a desired level of support, cushioning and comfort.
1. A sole with an adjustable heel support comprising:
a front portion adapted to support a ball of a user's foot;
a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, an open front portion, a closed rear portion, and two side walls, the two side walls being undetachably coupled to the upper surface and the lower surface, and at least one of the two side walls having at least one opening;
a cavity defined within the heel portion, from the open front portion to the closed rear portion; and
a removable insert positioned within the cavity and configured to be slidably removable from the cavity via the open front portion, wherein the removable insert is made from an elastomeric material.
2. The sole of claim 1 , wherein the heel portion is expandable to receive removable inserts of varying sizes.
3. The sole of claim 1 , wherein the removable insert has a lower surface and an upper surface, and the lower surface of the removable insert has substantially the same shape as the lower surface of the heel portion.
4. The sole of claim 1 , wherein the removable insert is configured to have a color corresponding to a specific level of hardness of the removable insert, the color of the removable insert, positioned within the cavity, being visible from the exterior of the cavity through the at least one opening.
5. The sole of claim 1 , wherein the sole is affixed to a closed-toe or an open-toe article of footwear.
6. A sole with an adjustable heel support comprising:
a front portion adapted to support a ball of a user's foot;
a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot;
a cavity defined within the heel portion; and
a removable insert positioned within the cavity, the removable insert being an air bag.
7. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper surface adapted for placement of a user's foot;
a sole undetachably coupled to the upper surface of the article of footwear, the sole having a front portion adapted to support a ball of the user's foot and a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface adapted for placement on a ground surface, and two side walls, and the heel portion having an open front portion and a closed rear portion;
a cavity defined within the heel portion of the sole, from the open front portion to the closed rear portion;
a removable insert placed inside the cavity through the open front portion to adjust the level of support provided to the heel; and
a plurality of connectors positioned on each side wall connecting the upper surface of the heel portion and the lower surface of the heel portion.
8. An article of footwear comprising:
a sole having a front portion adapted to support a ball of a user's foot and a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface adapted for placement on a ground surface and having a recessed opening positioned at a front portion of the lower surface, and two side walls, and the heel portion having an open front portion and a closed rear portion;
a cavity defined within the heel portion of the sole, from the open front portion of the heel portion to the closed rear portion of the heel portion; and
a removable insert placed inside the cavity through the open front portion of the heel portion to adjust the level of support provided to the heel,
the recessed opening defining a gripping area for fingers positioned at a front portion of the heel portion.
9. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the two side walls are flexible.
10. The article of footwear of claim 8 , further comprising a closed toe portion attached to the sole and adapted to cover the user's toes.
11. A sandal comprising:
an upper surface adapted for placement of a user's foot;
a securing device on the upper surface and adapted to receive the user's foot;
a sole undetachably coupled to the upper surface and having a front portion adapted to support a ball of the user's foot and a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface adapted for placement on a ground surface and having a recessed opening positioned at a front portion of the lower surface, and two flexible side walls, and the heel portion having an open front portion and a closed rear portion;
a cavity defined within the heel portion, from the open front portion of the heel portion to the closed rear portion of the heel portion;
a plurality of connectors positioned on each side wall connecting the upper surface of the heel portion and the lower surface of the heel portion; and
a removable insert placed inside the cavity through the open front portion of the heel portion to adjust the level of support provided to the heel,
the recessed opening defining a gripping area for fingers positioned at the front portion of the lower surface.
12. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the removable insert comprises a recessed groove adapted to receive fingers for gripping.
13. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the removable insert comprises a concave side and a convex side, the concave side and the convex side adapted to receive fingers for gripping.
14. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the recessed opening is adapted to receive a convex portion of the removable insert.
15. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the sole is made from one of a polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, or a rubber compound.
16. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of connectors are spaced apart by openings in each side wall.
17. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the removable insert has a hardness of between about 20 and 50 Asker C.
18. The sandal of claim 11 , wherein the securing device comprises a thong strap.
19. A sole with an adjustable heel support comprising:
a front portion adapted to support a ball of a user's foot;
a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, an open front portion, a closed rear portion, and two side walls, the two side walls being undetachably coupled to the upper surface and the lower surface, and at least one of the two side walls having at least one opening;
a cavity defined within the heel portion, from the open front portion to the closed rear portion; and
a removable insert positioned within the cavity and configured to be slidably removable from the cavity via the open front portion,
wherein the heel portion is expandable to receive removable inserts of varying sizes.
20. A sole with an adjustable heel support comprising:
a front portion adapted to support a ball of a user's foot;
a heel portion adapted to support a heel of the user's foot, the heel portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, an open front portion, a closed rear portion, and two side walls, the two side walls being undetachably coupled to the upper surface and the lower surface, and at least one of the two side walls having at least one opening;
a cavity defined within the heel portion, from the open front portion to the closed rear portion; and
a removable insert positioned within the cavity and configured to be slidably removable from the cavity via the open front portion, wherein the removable insert is configured to have a color corresponding to a specific level of hardness of the removable insert, the color of the removable insert, positioned within the cavity, being visible from the exterior of the cavity through the at least one opening.