Attachable and detachable modification for high heeled shoes

Abstract

A device that is a shoe heel attachment is provided, the device functioning to increase the surface area of the distal end of the heel portion of a high-heeled shoe, the device including an anchor portion and a planar portion. The device protects the heel of a high value shoe from abrasion and moisture that results from walking on permeable ground surfaces such as grass, mud, and snow, and improves the safety of the wearer from falls that would otherwise result from insertion of the heel into catching spaces such as sidewalk cracks and subway grate coverings.

1 . A device for increasing surface area of a distal end of a heel of a shoe, the device comprising: an anchor portion having a receptacle for receiving and releasably retaining the distal end of the heel of the shoe, and a planar base located beneath the anchor portion, wherein the horizontal surface area of the planar base is greater than the horizontal surface area of the distal end of the heel, wherein the device engages and retains the heel and protects the heel from damage during walking in contact of the heel with wet and abrasive surfaces. 
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a strap for securing the heel within the receptacle, wherein the strap is attached to a superior end of the device. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp for securing the heel within the receptacle, wherein the clamp is attached to the superior end of the device. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein securing the heel within the receptacle comprises at least one structure from the group consisting of: a strap comprises a plurality of apertures wherein the strap is attached by a first end to the anchor, the strap having a second end unattached, the device further comprising a peg located on an exterior surface of the receptacle that fits through the apertures; a strap comprising a plurality of terminal loops, and a tab located on the exterior of the receptacle, wherein each loop fits over the tab; a strap comprising a buckle; a strap comprising a hook and loop fastener (VELCRO®); a strap comprising a snap fastener; a strap comprising a lifting dot fastener; a strap comprising an figure eight fastener; a strap comprising an elastic ring fastener; an elastic tube, the elastic tube optionally having cut-outs or a lattice structure for example polygonal voids. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion further comprises a plurality of vertical gripping members attached to or contiguous with and extending proximally from the superior surface of the planar base, wherein the members have a size, shape and location to clasp and secure the heel within the receptacle by at least one method selected from the group consisting of: friction between inner surfaces of the members and an outer lateral surface of the heel; compression by the upright members of the heel; static electric cling between the members and at least one outer surface of the heel; suction between the upright members and at least one outer surface of the heel; and, adhesion of at least one upright member to at least one outer surface of the heel. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion further comprises at least one sizing insert wherein the external dimensions of the sizing insert conform to internal dimensions of the receptacle wherein the at least one insert is reversibly inserted into the receptacle, the sizing insert comprising a receiving cavity having internal dimensions and contours approximately conforming to external dimensions and contours of the heel. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion is detachable from the planar base for replacement by a substitute planar base. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion is permanently fixed to the planar base. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion internal dimension has in cross section at least one geometric shape selected at least one of the group of column, barrel, cylinder, disc, circular, oval, octagon, pentagon, rectangular, triangular, square, elliptical, and “D”. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base has a footprint which is a geometric shape selected from the group of disc, circular, oval, octagon, pentagon, rectangular, triangular, square, elliptical, and “D”. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a plurality of materials. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base and the receptacle comprise the same material. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base and the receptacle comprise a plurality of materials. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one plastic material. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the plastic comprises a polymer selected from at least one of the group of polyurethane, polyurethane foam, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, and polymethylpentene. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a rubber material. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the rubber is natural. 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the rubber is synthetic. 
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the rubber comprises silicone. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a metal material. 
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a metal alloy. 
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base comprises a paper-based product. 
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the paper-based product is selected from at least one of the group of cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, and card stock. 
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has an internal diameter of at least about 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or more for receiving and releasably retaining the heel of the surface portion of the shoe. 
   
   
       25 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein an inferior surface of the planar base that contacts the ground comprises at least one texture selected from the group of scored, ridged and serrated. 
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 25 , wherein the inferior surface of the planar base is smooth. 
   
   
       27 . The device according to  claim 25 , wherein the planar base inferior surface further comprises a malleable material. 
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is colorless and transparent or translucent. 
   
   
       29 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is pigmented and translucent or opaque. 
   
   
       30 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device has a weight less than about 8 oz, 6 oz, 4 oz, or 2 oz. 
   
   
       31 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base has a diameter of at least about 4 mm, 8 mm, or 1.2 cm. 
   
   
       32 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is disposable. 
   
   
       33 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is reusable. 
   
   
       34 . The device according to  claim 1  further comprising a water resistant material. 
   
   
       35 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar base and the anchor portion are water resistant. 
   
   
       36 . A kit comprising a device for increasing surface area of a distal end of a heel of a shoe, the device comprising: an anchor portion having a receptacle for receiving and releasably retaining the distal end of the heel, and a planar base located beneath the anchor portion, wherein the horizontal surface area of the planar base is greater than the horizontal surface area of the distal end of the heel, wherein the device engages and retains the heel and protects the heel from damage occurring during walking upon contact of the heel with wet and abrasive surfaces, and the kit further comprising a carrying container. 
   
   
       37 . The kit according to  claim 36  further comprising a plurality of at least one device component selected from the group of planar bases, receptacles, and sizing inserts. 
   
   
       38 . The kit according to  claim 36 , further comprising a cleaning cloth. 
   
   
       39 . A method of protecting a heel of a high-heeled shoe from abrasion and moisture, the method comprising: contacting the heel with a device for increasing surface area of a distal end of the heel, the device comprising: an anchor portion having a receptacle for receiving and releasably retaining the distal end of the heel of the shoe, and a planar base located beneath the anchor portion, wherein the horizontal surface area of the planar base is greater than the horizontal surface area of the distal end of the heel; and engaging and reversibly retaining the heel and protecting the heel from damage during walking upon contact of the heel with wet and abrasive surfaces.