Heel stabilizer

Abstract

The present invention relates to heel stabilizing technology that can be used on many kinds of footwear. This heel stabilizing technology can be incorporated during manufacture of the footwear. This heel stabilizing technology can also be manufactured as a separate component, and then added to many kinds of footwear. The heel stabilizer of the present invention increases the stability of the wearer when walking by minimizing the side-to-side teetering a person experiences when wearing flat heels to any height heel shoe, sneakers, boot, overshoe, galoshes or any combination thereof. Implementation of the heel stabilizing technology results in the heel of the footwear being set to a raised position and then flexed downward at heel strike. The resulting vertical stretch at the heel helps lessen side-to-side teetering of the wearer and thereby increases stability. The disclosed heel stabilizer includes at least one anchoring means, at least one heel lift means, a stretch segment, and a sole. An alternative embodiment includes an upper that conceals the structural features of the overshoe; a sole; a stay to center and stabilize the foot atop the shoe; and a well in the sole's heel to receive the high heel and the bottom of the stay component or, in an alternative embodiment, a hole in the sole so that the high heel and the bottom of the stay component penetrates the hole to form a watertight joint, the protruding heel cup then forms the visible sole of the overshoe.

1 . A shoe cover comprising:
 a leg shaft, wherein the leg shaft is of a length sufficient to cover a wearer's ankle area, and wherein the leg shaft has an opening of a width sufficient to accommodate the shoe instep;   a foot-shaped body, said body comprising an inside surface, an outside surface, a front, a back, at least one side(s), and a bottom;   a tension fastener; said tension fastener having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said lower portion of said tension fastener is attached to at least one of the back or the side(s) of said leg shaft, wherein said tension fastener is parallel to said leg shaft; and   an upper stabilizer, wherein said upper stabilizer circles an upper portion of the leg shaft and wherein said upper stabilizer is secured by a fastener, said upper stabilizer being connected to said upper portion of said tension fastener;   wherein:   a) said tension fastener is adjustable by the wearer and adjusting said tension fastener provides an upwards tension within said leg shaft, or   b) said tension fastener has been preadjusted and provides an upwards tension within said leg shaft.   
   
   
       2 . The shoe cover of  claim 1 , wherein said tension fastener is concealed within said shoe cover. 
   
   
       3 . The shoe cover of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom is flexible. 
   
   
       4 . The shoe cover of  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the leg shaft is secured by at least one closing element and wherein the at least one closing element is selected from the group of closing elements consisting of buckle(s), tab(s), snap(s), button(s), toggle closure(s), tie(s), hook and eye, zipper, hook and loop, elastic, drawstring, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . A stabilizing overshoe comprising:
 a leg shaft, wherein the leg shaft is of a length sufficient to cover a wearer's ankle area, and wherein the leg shaft has an opening of a width sufficient to accommodate a shoe instep;   a foot-shaped body, said body comprising an inside surface, an outside surface, a front, a back, at least one side(s), and a bottom;   a tension fastener; said tension fastener having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said lower portion of said tension fastener is attached to at least one of the back or the side(s) of said leg shaft, wherein said tension fastener is parallel to said leg shaft;   upper stabilizer(s), wherein said upper stabilizer(s) circle an upper portion of the leg shaft and wherein said upper stabilizer(s) are secured by at least one fastener, said upper stabilizer(s) being connected to said upper portion of said tension fastener;   side member(s), wherein said side member(s) allow for fore and aft movement of said overshoe while restricting sideward bending.   
   
   
       6 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 5 , further comprising a heel receptacle; wherein said side member(s) are attached to or conjoin with said heel receptacle, or an upward projection thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 5 , wherein said side member(s) are attached to said heel receptacle, or an upward projection thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 7 , wherein said side member(s) are attached to said heel receptacle, or an upward projection thereof by a pivot or flex joint. 
   
   
       9 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 6 , wherein said side member(s) conjoin with said heel receptacle, or an upward projection thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 6 , said heel receptacle further comprising a centering device. 
   
   
       11 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 10 , said heel centering device comprising at least one of appendages or surfaces of varying flexibility to guide a shoe heel into said heel receptacle. 
   
   
       12 . A stabilizing overshoe comprising:
 a cuff, wherein said cuff at least partially circles a lower leg of a user above the user's ankle bone;   side member(s), wherein said cuff is attached to said side member(s), and wherein said side member(s) allow for fore and aft movement of said overshoe while restricting sideward bending; and   a heel receptacle; wherein said side member(s) are attached to or conjoin with said heel receptacle, or an upward projection thereof and wherein said heel receptacle is internal or external to said overshoe.   
   
   
       13 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 12 , said heel receptacle further comprising a heel tip centering device, said heel tip centering device comprising at least one of appendages or flexible surfaces. 
   
   
       14 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 12 , wherein said side member(s) are rigid. 
   
   
       15 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 12 , said cuff comprising a moldable material. 
   
   
       16 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 12 , further comprising a tension mechanism, wherein said cuff is closable by said tension mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a closing means, wherein said cuff is closable by said closing means.   
   
   
       18 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 5 , further comprising a sole, said sole comprising an opening, wherein said opening allows for protrusion by said heel receptacle and forms an outwardly visible portion of said overshoe. 
   
   
       19 . A heel stabilizer technology comprising:
 a cuff, wherein said cuff can at least partially circles a lower leg of a user above the user's ankle bone;   side member(s), wherein said cuff is attached to or attachable to said side member(s), and wherein said side member(s) allow for fore and aft movement while restricting sideward bending; and   at least one tension fastener, wherein said tension fastener is attachable to a shoe wearer's shoe.   
   
   
       20 . The stabilizing overshoe of  claim 5 , further comprising an anchoring ankle strap; wherein said side member(s) are attached to or conjoin with said anchoring ankle strap.